The Board has granted service connection for cervical strain with IVDS and denied service connection for nuclear sclerotic cataracts. The Veteran's cervical strain is found to be related to a motor vehicle accident during active service, while his nuclear sclerotic cataracts are attributed to the aging process.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that the Veteran's cervical strain with IVDS was caused by a motor vehicle accident during active service, meeting the direct service connection criteria. In contrast, the evidence did not support a finding of causation between the nuclear sclerotic cataracts and active service or any service-connected disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical strain with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), Nuclear sclerotic cataracts
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 9, 2026
- Citation
- 26000318
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 26000318.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's 20 percent rating for cervical strain with IVDS is restored effective February 12, 2025. A higher rating for the right fibula fracture remains remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's thoracolumbar strain and cervical strain with IVDS are remanded for additional examinations to address functional loss during flare-ups and repeated use.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right upper extremity (minor), femoral, and sciatic nerves is also remanded for appropriate peripheral nerve examinations.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for increased rating of other specified trauma- and stressor-related disorder was denied as the increase in disability did not occur within one year prior to September 20, 2016.,The Veteran's claim for increased rating of migraine headaches was denied as the increase in disability did not occur within one year prior to September 20, 2016.,The Veteran's claim for increased rating of left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain was denied as the increase in disability did not occur within one year prior to September 27, 2019.,The Veteran's claim for increased rating of left knee strain was denied as the increase in disability did not occur within one year prior to November 5, 2020.,The Veteran's claim for increased rating of right knee strain was denied as the increase in disability did not occur within one year prior to November 5, 2020.,The Veteran's claim for increased rating of cervical strain with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) was denied as the increase in disability did not occur within one year prior to September 27, 2019.,The Veteran's claim for increased rating of right upper extremity radiculopathy was denied as the increase in disability did not occur within one year prior to September 27, 2019.,The Veteran's claim for increased rating of left upper extremity radiculopathy of the left upper extremity was denied as the increase in disability did not occur within one year prior to November 21, 2019.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability was denied in July 2013, but no new and material evidence has been received since then.,The Veteran's nuclear sclerotic cataracts are not related to his diabetes mellitus, type II.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II is denied as it was received after one year from discharge.,Diabetic nephropathy was first diagnosed on January 2, 2013, and its effective date is denied as it was not received within a year of diagnosis.,Left upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and right lower extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy were all granted on July 26, 2011.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction was granted as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II, effective July 26, 2011.,SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ is denied prior to July 26, 2011.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, does not meet the criteria for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent.
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