The Board granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, left shoulder strain, and osteoarthritis of the left hip status post left hip replacement based on a nexus to the Veteran's military service as a Navy SEAL.
The deciding factor: The evidence is at least in equipoise as to the nexus element for each claim and, when resolving any reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor, the Board finds that his cervical spine degenerative disc disease and foraminal stenosis, left shoulder strain, and osteoarthritis of the left hip status post left hip replacement are related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, Foraminal stenosis, Left shoulder strain, Osteoarthritis of the left hip status post left hip replacement
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 11, 2025
- Citation
- A25107156
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.