The veteran's cervical spine disability, characterized by pain and involvement of the left upper extremity, has been rated at 20 percent since September 23, 2002. The evidence does not support a higher rating based on incapacitating episodes or combined evaluations for chronic orthopedic and neurologic manifestations.
The deciding factor: The veteran's disability picture during the period in question did not meet the criteria for an increased evaluation under the revised version of Diagnostic Code 5293, as it lacked sufficient evidence of incapacitating episodes or combined evaluations for chronic orthopedic and neurologic manifestations.
- Claimed conditions
- residuals of nerve root compression at C5-C6 and C-C7 with degenerative disc disease and involvement of the left upper extremity
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- December 4, 2006
- Citation
- 0637591
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 0637591.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
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