The Board denied service connection for cervical spine strain with degenerative arthritis and disc disease as the evidence did not support a finding that it began during active service or within one year from service.
The deciding factor: The May 2023 VA opinion is considered competent, credible, and probative evidence. The examiner provided reasons and bases for his conclusion, including the lack of neck complaints at separation from service and the lack of evidence to establish a nexus between the Veteran's in-service trapezoid muscle strain and his current diagnosis.
- Claimed conditions
- cervical spine strain with degenerative arthritis and disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 23, 2025
- Citation
- A25110359
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