The Board denied service connection for neck strain as there was no evidence of an in-service injury, disease, or event and the current condition is not related to service.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner's opinion that the Veteran's cervical strain was less likely than not incurred in or caused by service, based on a negative service separation examination and more contemporaneous lay and medical evidence showing no relevant neck injuries during service.
- Claimed conditions
- neck strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 12, 2025
- Citation
- A25042292
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a medical examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck strain is related to his in-service activities.
- Dismissed
The appeal concerning the service connection for various conditions and the propriety of a rating reduction has been withdrawn by the Appellant.
- Dismissed
The appeal for service connection for a left wrist condition was dismissed due to concurrent election of higher-level review. The claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral pes planus, and for service connection for hearing loss, neck strain, and dermatitis were denied.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for hearing loss disability, neck strain, and tinea pedis. The Veteran's claim for an increased initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was also denied. The claims for service connection for right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome were remanded.
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