The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder and an increased rating for the lumbar spine disability, but granted an effective date of December 15, 1997 for the 40 percent rating.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a finding that any chronic acquired cervical spine disorder had its onset during service or was caused by military service. The lumbar spine disability met the criteria for a 40 percent evaluation based on severe lumbosacral strain and intervertebral disc syndrome, but application of the regular schedular provisions was impractical due to the unusual nature of the disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical spine disorder (including arthritic changes and herniated nucleus pulposus), Degenerative changes of the cervical spine, Multiple sclerosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- June 13, 2002
- Citation
- 0206261
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 0206261.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for multiple sclerosis to correct a duty to assist error in obtaining relevant private treatment records.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability as there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to active duty, ADT, or IDT.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection of the Veteran's cause of death to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for lumbar spine and multiple sclerosis disabilities due to his failure to appear for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.
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.