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
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative changes of the cervical spine and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), finding that new evidence supports these claims. Service connection is also granted for a musculoskeletal disability of the neck/upper back.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from September 15, 2012. The Board granted a total disability rating for compensation due to his unemployability.
- 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.
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