Veterans’ RightsAn independent resource for veterans
← All decisions
Denied

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected cervical spine and lumbosacral strain disabilities do not warrant a disability rating in excess of 20 percent.

The deciding factor: The veteran's spinal conditions, when evaluated under the revised criteria effective September 26, 2003, did not meet the criteria for higher ratings as they were not manifested by ankylosis, neurologic abnormalities, or fractures with spinal cord involvement. The combined range of motion was within the limits that would warrant a 20 percent rating.

Claimed conditions
Degenerative Disc Disease of the Cervical Spine, Lumbosacral Strain
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating assigned
None in this decision
Decision date
January 26, 2007
Citation
0702340

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 0702340.

What this means for you

A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.

What you can do next

Related decisions

Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.

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.