The veteran's service-connected dorsal-lumbar spine disability was rated at 20 percent prior to September 8, 1999 and increased to 40 percent since then. The cervical spine disability was initially rated at 10 percent and later increased to 20 percent.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations conducted in September 1997 and September 1999 demonstrated significant improvement in the veteran's dorsal-lumbar spine condition, with a marked reduction in range of motion from prior evaluations. The cervical spine disability also showed improvement, but remained at a lower rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Residuals of injury of the dorsal-lumbar spine with arthritis and narrowing and desiccation at L1-2, L2-3 and L3-4 with mild bulge at L3-4, Residuals of injury of the cervical spine with arthritis and mild disc bulge at C3-4
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- May 25, 2000
- Citation
- 0013951
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 0013951.
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
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- Denied
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- Granted
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