The Veteran's cervical spine disability is denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to service or secondary to her thoracolumbar spine disability.,The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability, with intervertebral disc syndrome, is rated at 40 percent and the appeal for an increased rating is denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support a finding that the cervical spine disability is related to service or secondary to her thoracolumbar spine disability. The Veteran's cervical spine disability was first noted in March 2019, nearly two decades after separation from service.,There is no medical evidence linking the Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy to her thoracolumbar spine disability or service. The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy has not been shown to be at least as likely as not aggravated by her thoracolumbar spine disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical spine disability (claimed as neck sprain), Intervertebral disc syndrome of thoracolumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 9, 2026
- Citation
- A26002455
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation A26002455.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome of the thoracolumbar spine has been reopened and granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome of the cervical spine is also granted.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's service-connected musculoligamentous strain, right knee, is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
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.