The Board denied service connection for cervical degenerative disc disease and denied a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to the veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disorder. The Board found that the cervical spine disorder did not manifest in service or as a result of his service-connected lumbar spine disorder.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that the cervical degenerative disc disease first manifested many years after service and was not related to service or to his service-connected lumbar spine disorder.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease, Myositis of the Lumbar Spine with Herniated Nucleus Pulposus at L4-S1, Bilateral Radiculopathy, and Residual Conditions of a Hemilaminectomy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 60%
- Decision date
- March 23, 2007
- Citation
- 0708771
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 0708771.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance is remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for a detailed examination.
- Granted
The Veteran was granted a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) effective November 28, 2007. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable beginning February 8, 2006.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for further action due to incomplete evaluations and lack of consideration of lay assertions.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's cervical DDD and left cervical radiculopathy are currently rated at 20% and 30%, respectively, since May 13, 2013. The Board has determined that these ratings do not adequately reflect the severity of his conditions during the appeal period.
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