The Board granted service connection for cervical strain with degenerative arthritis and IVDS, radiculopathy of the left and right upper extremities, but denied service connection for left knee strain with shin splints, thoracolumbar strain with IVDS, left shoulder disability to include shoulder strain with impingement syndrome and rotator cuff tendonitis, right shoulder disability to include shoulder strain with impingement syndrome and rotator cuff tendonitis with calcific tendinitis, and tinnitus.

The deciding factor: The evidence supported continuity of symptoms for the cervical spine condition and a nexus between the upper extremity radiculopathy and the service-connected cervical strain. However, there was no credible evidence linking the other conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

Claimed conditions

cervical strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, left knee strain with shin splints, thoracolumbar strain with IVDS, left shoulder disability to include shoulder strain with impingement syndrome and rotator cuff tendonitis, right shoulder disability to include shoulder strain with impingement syndrome and rotator cuff tendonitis with calcific tendinitis, tinnitus

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

November 13, 2025

Citation

A25098519

Want to see how appeals like this one tend to go? Appeals like mine