The Board denied service connection for cervical degenerative arthritis and anterolisthesis C4 on C5, but remanded the issues of service connection for an eye disability (including pinguecula, dry eye syndrome, and hypertensive retinopathy) and entitlement to a TDIU.
The deciding factor: The Board found no evidence that the Veteran's current cervical spine disability is related to his active service or another service-connected condition. The opinion provided by the VA examiner was deemed inadequate as it did not consider all relevant diagnoses, including pinguecula.
- Claimed conditions
- cervical degenerative arthritis, anterolisthesis C4 on C5, eye disability (pinguecula, dry eye syndrome, hypertensive retinopathy)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 5, 2026
- Citation
- A26019801
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 A26019801.
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: Granted
The Veteran's current cervical spine disability is related to service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied eligibility for attorney fees as the June 2024 TDIU decision was not an initial decision on service connection claims, but rather a determination of unemployability based on previously granted conditions.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis and lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration, cervical degenerative arthritis, left shoulder acromioclavicular joint degeneration, right hip strain, anxiety as secondary to the Veteran's back condition, and depression as secondary to the Veteran's back condition. The claims for service connection for a left knee condition and a right knee condition were denied.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for cervical degenerative arthritis, while remanding the claims for lumbosacral strain and plantar fasciitis of the left and right foot.
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