The Veteran's cervical spine disability (DDD and DJD) is currently rated at 10 percent, effective October 1, 2000. The Board finds that the current rating does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.
The deciding factor: The most recent VA examination did not show any limitation of motion or intervertebral disc syndrome (IDS) severe enough to warrant an increased rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) and Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the cervical spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 28, 2013
- Citation
- 1321023
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1321023.
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 increased disability ratings for DDD and DJD of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, left shoulder, and tension headaches are granted with an effective date of December 1, 2013.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's DDD and DJD of the cervical spine are currently rated at 10 percent disabling, effective March 11, 2004. The appeal for higher initial ratings is denied.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining records from SSA and scheduling VA examinations.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
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