The Board has granted a higher rating of 40 percent for the service-connected cervical strain with degenerative disease, effective from the date of claim in March 1999.
The deciding factor: The VA examination revealed severe intervertebral disc syndrome with recurring attacks and demonstrable muscle spasm, which warranted a 40 percent evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5293.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical strain with degenerative disease, Headaches
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- January 13, 2004
- Citation
- 0401188
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 0401188.
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
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Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for erectile dysfunction and remanded the claims for a sleep disorder and headaches to ensure proper development of evidence.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeal in September 2025, stating that she is now 100% permanently and totally disabled effective April 29, 2025.
- Remanded (sent back)
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