The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for cervical strain, lumbosacral strain, and COPD. The RO assigned noncompensable disability ratings initially in April 1998 and increased them to 10 percent effective August 23, 1997.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations did not show findings of ankylosis or muscle spasm that would warrant higher ratings under the amended rating criteria for diseases and injuries of the spine. The veteran's range of motion was within normal limits for his conditions.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical strain, Lumbosacral strain, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 27, 2006
- Citation
- 0605506
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,500 · Granted: 17% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 0605506.
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- Remanded (sent back)
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