The Board has granted a higher initial rating of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected cervical spine disorder, and denied an initial compensable rating for his left shoulder disorder.
The deciding factor: The VA medical examinations showed that the veteran had moderate limitation of motion in his cervical spine, warranting a 20% disability rating. The left shoulder disorder did not meet criteria for any higher rating as there was no evidence of significant functional impairment or other disabling conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical Spine Disorder, Left Shoulder Disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- July 21, 2003
- Citation
- 0316676
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 0316676.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and service connection for depression, but granted service connection for a left shoulder disorder.
- 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.
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