The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his cervical torticollis and left knee conditions. The VA found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for these conditions.
The deciding factor: The VA determined that there was no medical evidence or disability comparable to fractured cervical vertebra or ankylosis, which would warrant higher ratings under specific diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- torticollis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 14, 2003
- Citation
- 0307136
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 499 · Granted: 18% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0307136.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been received. The issues of entitlement to service connection for neck disability, torticollis, back disability, and essential tremors are now before the Board.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the Veteran should be afforded another opportunity to undergo VA examinations for his service-connected cervical spine, lumbar spine, and bilateral knee disabilities due to concerns related to the COVID pandemic. The claims for increased evaluations are subject to denial if the Veteran fails to appear for the scheduled examinations.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his neck and left knee disabilities, as well as service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and sleep apnea are being remanded due to outstanding records not having been obtained. The Veteran's VA treatment records suggest there may be relevant private treatment records that have not been associated with the claims file.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for torticollis, claimed as secondary to a low back disability (spondylolisthesis L4-5 with degenerative disc disease), and denied entitlement to special monthly compensation based on the Veteran's need for aid and attendance.
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