The veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability has been consistently productive of no more than moderate limitation of motion with intermittent pain and painful motion. At no time was it manifested by severe intervertebral disc syndrome, severe limitation of motion, incapacitating episodes, separately ratable neurological symptoms, forward flexion limited to 15 degrees or less, or ankylosis. Therefore, a rating in excess of 20 percent is not warranted.
The deciding factor: The veteran's cervical spine disability has consistently been characterized by moderate limitation of motion with intermittent pain and painful motion, without evidence of severe intervertebral disc syndrome, severe limitation of motion, incapacitating episodes, or neurological symptoms. The most recent VA examination found no clinical evidence of causalgia.
- Claimed conditions
- cervical spine traumatic arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 14, 2008
- Citation
- 0827572
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0827572.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected conditions have made it necessary for him to rely on the aid and attendance of another person since March 30, 2016. The Board has granted SMC based on this need.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations of cervical spine traumatic arthritis and a compensable rating for headaches have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeals.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his cervical spine disability is being remanded due to conflicting medical evidence. The VA is asked to clarify whether the veteran has separate radiculopathy symptoms and if so, differentiate them from fibromyalgia syndrome. Service connection for fibromyalgia is denied.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected cervical spine traumatic arthritis.
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