The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is manifested by chronic moderate to severe pain with flare-ups requiring rest for up to several days. There is moderate limitation of motion, and the Veteran has difficulty lifting objects and working overhead but can still drive an automobile, perform household tasks, and participate in some forms of recreation such as fishing and dancing. The criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent have not been met at any time during the period covered by this appeal.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's cervical spine disorder does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine, as his range of motion is within the limits that would warrant a 20 percent rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Changes of the Cervical Spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- September 15, 2010
- Citation
- 1034778
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 1034778.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including asthma, migraines, PTSD, and TBI-related conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment for the appeal period from May 14, 2018, to September 7, 2021, and from September 18, 2021, to September 7, 2022. Effective September 7, 2021, he is in receipt of a 100% combined schedular disability rating.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected degenerative changes of the cervical spine, status-post laminectomy have been rated at 20 percent since August 31, 2012. The Board has determined that this rating is appropriate based on the evidence showing no more than functional loss more nearly approximating forward flexion of the cervical spine of 20 degrees or greater.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's degenerative changes of the cervical spine with mild thoracic spine kyphosis, finding that it is related to an in-service injury.
- Granted
The Veteran has been diagnosed with degenerative changes of the cervical spine and provided credible statements of continuous symptomatology since service. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of service connection for this condition.
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