The VA has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disability, which includes traumatic arthritis and degenerative disc narrowing, does not warrant a rating greater than 40 percent.
The deciding factor: The VA found that the veteran's condition did not result in incapacitating episodes or unfavorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine as required for a higher evaluation.
- Claimed conditions
- Traumatic arthritis of the cervical spine, Residual thoracic back strain, Degenerative disc narrowing
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- January 13, 2005
- Citation
- 0501156
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 0501156.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
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The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine arthritis, right shoulder degenerative joint disease, left knee disability, and left elbow carpal tunnel syndrome with ulnar nerve involvement have been denied. The VA has determined that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.
- Denied
The veteran's claims for service connection for traumatic arthritis of the cervical spine and PTSD, as well as an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, were denied. The claim for a compensable rating for hypertension was granted.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for traumatic arthritis of the cervical spine, lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. The ratings were found to not meet the criteria for an increased evaluation under applicable diagnostic codes.
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