The Board granted service connection for cervical strain and degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the cervical spine, DDD of the lumbar spine and lumbosacral strain, and lateral collateral ligament sprain of the right ankle based on a finding that these conditions are due to an injury during service.
The deciding factor: The private medical opinion was found more persuasive as it accounted for the continuity of symptoms after service, while the VA examiners disregarded this evidence.
- Claimed conditions
- cervical strain and degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the cervical spine, DDD of the lumbar spine and lumbosacral strain, lateral collateral ligament sprain of the right ankle
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 20, 2025
- Citation
- A25026270
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for right shoulder, thoracolumbar spine, and ankle disabilities based on their relationship to the Veteran's active service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issue of entitlement to TDIU prior to July 19, 2024 for additional development.
- Granted
Service connection for hallux valgus of the left foot and lateral collateral ligament sprain of the right ankle is granted.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
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