The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The VA has determined that the current evaluations are appropriate.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of evidence does not support an evaluation in excess of the current 20 percent rating for residuals of a cervical spine fusion, as there is no severe limitation of motion.
- Claimed conditions
- Postoperative Residuals of Cervical Spine Fusion, Arthritis of Lumbosacral Spine, Residuals of Left Knee Injury
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- February 10, 2000
- Citation
- 0003495
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0003495.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board found that the February 2006 rating decision awarding a separate 10 percent rating for residuals of left knee injury was clearly and unmistakably erroneous due to pyramiding, and thus reduced this rating. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet eligibility requirements for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only.
- Denied
The VA has denied all increased rating claims for the veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right eye cataract, right and left ankle injuries, right and left knee injuries, and right shoulder acromioclavicular separation.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for residuals of a left knee injury and granted service connection for numbness of the left arm and hand. The other claims are pending.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected dysthymic disorder, lumbosacral strain, and residuals of left knee injury do not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent.
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