The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy are not related to his active service.,The Board also found that the Veteran's lumbar strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left knee disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability were not related to his active service.
The deciding factor: The medical opinions provided by VA examiners did not support a finding that the Veteran's cervical strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, left upper extremity radiculopathy, or right upper extremity radiculopathy were caused by his active service. The examiner opined that any injury during service would have been debilitating and required further treatment and convalescence.,The medical opinions provided by VA examiners did not support a finding that the Veteran's lumbar strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left knee disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, or right ankle disability were caused by his active service. The examiner opined that any injury during service would have been debilitating and required further treatment and convalescence.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical strain with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), Left upper extremity radiculopathy, Right upper extremity radiculopathy, Lumbar strain, Left lower extremity radiculopathy, Right lower extremity radiculopathy, Left knee disability, Right knee disability, Left ankle disability, Right ankle disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 10, 2026
- Citation
- A26033449
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 A26033449.
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 Board has granted effective dates of July 10, 2024 for service connection for PTSD, lumbar strain, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and other disabilities have been granted, including a TDIU based on his inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to these conditions.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of January 10, 1997, for a 10% disability rating for his right ankle disability is denied as there was no CUE in the previous decisions.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted the appellant's claim for service connection for left ankle disability residuals, finding that his current condition is due to an in-service injury and granting the benefit of the doubt.
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