The veteran's cervical spine disorder is rated at 20 percent disabling, effective from December 9, 1997. The issue of an increased rating for the lumbar spine disorder prior to March 31, 2000, and after that date remains pending.
The deciding factor: The VA has established service connection for a cervical spine disorder and assigned an initial disability evaluation of 20 percent effective from December 9, 1997. The veteran's claim for increased ratings is currently under consideration.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical Spine Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- November 21, 2002
- Citation
- 0216891
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 0216891.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of a 70 percent rating for PTSD, but granted service connection for IBS under PACT Act provisions and remanded other claims.
- Granted
The Board granted earlier effective dates of February 1, 2021, for the awards of service connection and secondary service connection for various disabilities.
- Partly granted
The Veteran is granted SMC at the L rate based on the need for regular aid and attendance since November 1, 2017, but denied prior to that date.
- Partly granted
The Board denied entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for irritable bowel syndrome and a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD and unspecified depressive disorder, and denied service connection for various other disorders.
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.