The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his degenerative joint and disc disease of the lumbar spine and cervical spine, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable VA rating criteria.
The deciding factor: The RO/Board found that the veteran's conditions did not result in ankylosis, incapacitating episodes, or significant neurological manifestations as required by the relevant diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative joint and disc disease, lumbar spine, cervical spine degenerative changes
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- July 6, 2007
- Citation
- 0720215
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 0720215.
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 Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine degenerative changes, left shoulder degenerative changes, lumbar spine degenerative changes, and right shoulder osteoarthritis due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran was not afforded VA examinations for these conditions.
- Partly granted
The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's low back condition, cervical spine degenerative changes, and PTSD with TBI, but granted a 10 percent rating for post-traumatic headaches. The Board also remanded service connection for a bilateral foot condition.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative changes, left foot degenerative changes, and obstructive sleep apnea on a direct basis. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and thyroid disability were remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for higher initial ratings for cervical spine degenerative changes is being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The VA needs to obtain medical records from two air force base clinics.
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