The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability is currently evaluated at 20 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not show any incapacitating episodes or ankylosis of the entire cervical spine, which would warrant a higher evaluation under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The current 20 percent rating adequately reflects the Veteran's disability level based on forward flexion to 30-40 degrees.
- Claimed conditions
- degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- October 25, 2010
- Citation
- 1040023
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 1040023.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board granted disability ratings of 40 percent for right shoulder impingement syndrome, 30 percent for left shoulder impingement syndrome, rotator cuff tear, and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, 30 percent for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, 40 percent for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, and 30 percent for right knee patellar chondromalacia with degenerative arthritis, but not higher.
- Denied
The Board denied entitlement to higher disability ratings for chronic sinusitis, low back disability, cervical spine disability, radiculopathy right upper extremity, and thoracolumbar spine scar. The Board also remanded service connection claims for left and right knee disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied higher staged ratings for lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, but granted an effective date of January 11, 2017, for special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, and residuals of hysterectomy to obtain additional medical opinions.
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