The Board denied service connection for residuals of spondylosis of the cervical spine with radiculopathy and an increased rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine. The veteran's current neck disability was not incurred or aggravated in service, and arthritis may not be presumed to have been. For his lumbar spine disability, a higher rating than 40 percent is denied as there are no findings of pronounced intervertebral disc syndrome or unfavorable ankylosis.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not support the assignment of a higher rating for either condition based on service connection or increased ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- Residuals of spondylosis of the cervical spine with radiculopathy, Degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- June 8, 2007
- Citation
- 0717290
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 0717290.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left ankle and lumbosacral spine disabilities were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.
- Granted
The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at a 40 percent evaluation, effective from the date of the May 2013 rating decision.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a retrospective medical opinion to assess the severity and manifestations of the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine disability.
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