The Board has assigned a 60 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected cervical degenerative disc disease, effective from September 23, 2002, based on the revised criteria in effect at that time. The current rating is higher than what was previously granted.
The deciding factor: The revised criteria provided by the VA General Counsel allowed for a higher evaluation of 60 percent under Diagnostic Code 5293 due to pronounced intervertebral disc syndrome with persistent symptoms compatible with neuropathy, including characteristic pain and demonstrable muscle spasm or other neurological findings appropriate to site of the diseased disc.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- August 12, 2005
- Citation
- 0522036
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 0522036.
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 claim for SMC based on aid and attendance is remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for a detailed examination.
- Granted
The Veteran was granted a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) effective November 28, 2007. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable beginning February 8, 2006.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for further action due to incomplete evaluations and lack of consideration of lay assertions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's cervical DDD and left cervical radiculopathy are currently rated at 20% and 30%, respectively, since May 13, 2013. The Board has determined that these ratings do not adequately reflect the severity of his conditions during the appeal period.
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