The veteran's cervical spine disability with degenerative disc disease was granted a combined rating of 30 percent effective September 23, 2002. Prior to this date, the disability was rated at 10 percent.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed that on and after September 23, 2002, the veteran's cervical spine disability did not meet criteria for a higher rating based on incapacitating episodes or chronic orthopedic/neurologic manifestations. The combined range of motion was greater than 170 degrees.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical spine disability with degenerative disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- March 25, 2005
- Citation
- 0508975
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 0508975.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and retrospective opinion regarding his cervical spine disability. The issue of an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for cervical spine disability with degenerative disc disease remains pending.
- Denied
The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
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.