The Veteran's cervical spine and low back disabilities are currently rated at the maximum available ratings of 20 percent for each condition. The VA has determined that these conditions do not warrant a higher rating based on current symptomatology.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s cervical and lumbar spine disabilities have been evaluated under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine, with no additional criteria met to justify an increased evaluation.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical Spine Degenerative Arthritis, Lumbar Spine Degenerative Arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 15, 2014
- Citation
- 1416606
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 1416606.
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 PTSD rating is restored to 50 percent, but his other orthopedic disabilities remain in dispute and require further review.,His cervical strain, DJD of the left knee, and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis are all rated below their maximum possible ratings due to lack of evidence showing they meet or approximate the criteria for higher ratings.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has been denied.,The Veteran's claims for a higher initial rating for lower back disability and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional examination and consideration.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has found that the Veteran requires personal care services for a minimum of six continuous months based on his inability to perform activities of daily living and need for supervision or protection due to symptoms or residuals of neurological or other impairment. The VA will now evaluate whether participation in the PCAFC program is in the Veteran's best interest.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted an effective date of November 17, 2006 for the grant of service connection for PTSD, with generalized anxiety disorder and traumatic brain injury, as well as cervical spine degenerative arthritis. This decision is based on the addition of service treatment records that were not available at the time of the initial claim.
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