The Board remands the claims for a higher disability rating for cervical strain, arthritis, DDD, IVDS and service connection for left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, left shoulder strain, and bilateral vertigo due to an inadequate VA examination.
The deciding factor: The November 2024 VA examinations are found to be inadequate as they did not provide sufficient information regarding the severity of spasms or other relevant factors necessary for rating purposes. Additionally, the December 2024 VA examinations for left ankle and shoulder conditions were also deemed inadequate due to a failure to consider lay statements and medical treatises submitted by the Veteran.
- Claimed conditions
- cervical strain, arthritis, degenerative disc disease (DDD), intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, left shoulder strain, bilateral vertigo
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 6, 2025
- Citation
- A25096963
Want to see how appeals like this one tend to go? Appeals like mine
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.