The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the veteran's cervical spine disorder effective October 1, 1997. The RO also granted a 20 percent rating for chronic lumbar strain with mild compression deformity of the posterior aspect of the L5 vertebral body from October 1, 1997 to March 8, 2000 and a 10 percent rating thereafter.
The deciding factor: The VA examination reports supported the need for higher ratings based on the veteran's symptoms and findings during his service and post-service treatment.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar strain, cervical strain, mild compression deformity of the posterior aspect of the L5 vertebral body
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- September 23, 2002
- Citation
- 0212789
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 0212789.
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and remanded several issues, including service connection for stomach pain.
- Partly granted
The Board granted higher ratings for the Veteran's service-connected carpal tunnel syndrome and cubital tunnel syndrome of both upper extremities, but remanded claims for service connection for sinusitis, calcified lymph nodes on the lungs, and cervical strain.
- Dismissed
The appeals for restoration of ratings and for a higher disability rating were dismissed as the April 2025 rating decision did not make final decisions on these issues.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for hypertension as it was not present during service, was not manifested to a compensable degree within one year of separation from active service and is not otherwise related to service. The claims for service connection for a cervical strain and coccyx bone fracture are remanded.
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