The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations showed limited motion of the cervical spine but no ankylosis or other severe impairment. The lumbar spine disability was also found to have limitations in range of motion without incapacitating episodes within the past year, which did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- July 21, 2009
- Citation
- 0927237
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 0927237.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine and radiculopathy affecting both upper and lower extremities, while dismissing the claim for cervicogenic headaches.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, right upper extremity radiculopathy, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, and right lower extremity radiculopathy, have resulted in a combined rating of 60 percent as of March 15, 2019. The Board has granted an earlier effective date for TDIU to this point.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU grant.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remanded the claims for readjudication and further development, as new and relevant evidence had been submitted since the prior denials.
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