The Board granted service connection for headaches, right and left heel pain, and a lumbar spine disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine C5 fracture residuals. The claims for ratings in excess of 20 percent for upper extremity radiculopathy were denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence supported direct service connection for the headaches and foot pain based on credible lay statements and medical literature, while the lumbar spine disability was granted as secondary to a service-connected condition. The claims for higher ratings for radiculopathy were denied due to the lack of sufficient symptomatology to warrant a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- headaches, right heel pain, left heel pain, lumbar spine disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 2, 2025
- Citation
- A25103410
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.