The veteran is entitled to a 20 percent rating for cervical spine degenerative joint disease from February 13, 2003. The claim for an increased rating prior to that date was not granted.
The deciding factor: The VA examination in February 2003 showed forward flexion of the cervical spine at 45 degrees (reduced to 40 with resistance), which is within the range required for a 20 percent rating under the revised criteria effective September 26, 2003.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical Spine Degenerative Joint Disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- November 13, 2006
- Citation
- 0635230
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,776 · 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 0635230.
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 increased ratings for cervical spine degenerative joint disease, thoracolumbar spine degenerative joint disease, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity with demyelinating polyneuropathy are denied. A TDIU is granted for the period from February 7, 2018, to February 6, 2022, but dismissed for the period thereafter.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted TDIU effective July 2, 2012. Prior to that date, his service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for further examination and evaluation to determine if the Veteran is entitled to special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status from July 12, 2011 to January 29, 2019, and whether TBI alone warrants such benefits.
- Granted
The Veteran's cervical spine condition is rated at a 30 percent disability rating, effective November 5, 2014. The Board found the evidence in approximate balance as to whether the Veteran's cervical spine condition was manifested by pain and limited range of motion.
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.