The Board found that the veteran's cervical spine condition does not meet or approximate criteria for a higher evaluation, thus denying an increased rating. The current 20 percent evaluation remains in effect.
The deciding factor: The veteran's range of motion was limited to flexion to 30 degrees with pain, extension to 30 degrees with pain, right lateral flexion to 10 degrees, left lateral flexion to 10 degrees, right rotation to 40 degrees with pain, and left rotation to 50 degrees with pain. This does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5290.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical Spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- June 23, 2006
- Citation
- 0618448
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,012 · Granted: 24% (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 0618448.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.
- Denied
The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that this rating is not warranted for any period on appeal.
- Partly granted
The Board denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claim for service connection for cervical spine.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine, left elbow, and left knee conditions due to errors in obtaining necessary medical opinions and records.
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.