The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected cervical spine and multiple joints disabilities have been denied. The reduction in the evaluation for rheumatoid arthritis from 60 percent to no percent as of July 26, 2005 has also been denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support a higher rating than 40% for the service-connected cervical spine disability and the reduction in the evaluation for rheumatoid arthritis was found to be improper due to procedural errors.
- Claimed conditions
- osteoarthritis of the cervical spine with radiculopathy, rheumatoid arthritis of multiple joints
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 7, 2006
- Citation
- 0616649
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,599 · Granted: 37% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed 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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0616649.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the cervical spine with radiculopathy and tinnitus are granted service connection, while his bilateral hearing loss and vertigo secondary to hearing loss are denied. The Veteran is assigned a 10% rating for his lumbar strain.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain clarification on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis, including whether it had its onset during or within one year of service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has determined that there is new and material evidence to support reopening of his claims. The appeals are remanded for further development including VA examinations and opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran’s current conditions and his military service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis of multiple joints, left shoulder, right wrist, left wrist, left hand, right hand, and left knee were evaluated based on their respective disabilities. The rating was granted for the left shoulder, wrists, hands, hips/thighs, and knees.
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