The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, left knee osteoarthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis with meniscal tear as there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active military service.
The deciding factor: The November 2019 VA examiners opined that the Veteran's claimed conditions were less likely than not related to her in-service injuries or illnesses, and the Board found the probative weight of the evidence against a finding of continuity of symptomology for these conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, Degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, Left knee osteoarthritis, Right knee osteoarthritis with meniscal tear
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 1, 2025
- Citation
- A25029622
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an initial disability rating of 30 percent for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine but denied a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that the Veteran's current degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is related to an in-service bicycle accident.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted a 30 percent rating, while the lumbar and lower extremity radiculopathy claims are denied. An earlier effective date for right lower extremity radiculopathy was granted, and TDIU based on single service-connected disability is remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine to correct a duty to assist error.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.