The Veteran's service-connected cervical and lumbosacral spine disabilities have been rated based on their functional impairment, with no evidence of incapacitating episodes or neurological abnormalities. The current range of motion does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under either the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine or the Formula for Rating Intervertebral Disc Syndrome Based on Incapacitating Episodes.,The Veteran's service-connected cervical and lumbosacral spine disabilities have been rated based on their functional impairment, with no evidence of incapacitating episodes or neurological abnormalities. The current range of motion does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under either the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine or the Formula for Rating Intervertebral Disc Syndrome Based on Incapacitating Episodes.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected cervical and lumbosacral spine disabilities have not resulted in incapacitating episodes, neurological abnormalities, or functional loss that would warrant a higher rating under either the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine or the Formula for Rating Intervertebral Disc Syndrome Based on Incapacitating Episodes.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) and Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the Cervical Spine, Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) and Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the Lumbosacral Spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 29, 2013
- Citation
- 1339318
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 1339318.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable prior to June 9, 2017 and at 20 percent from that date. The claim for increased rating remains denied.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability has not been service connected. The claim for reopening the previously denied service connection claim remains denied.,The Veteran's low back disability is rated as 20 percent disabling, but further development is needed to determine if a higher rating is warranted.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent, effective February 12, 2013. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating based on limitation of motion but not ankylosis.
- 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.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
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