The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his thoracolumbar and cervical spine disabilities, finding that they did not meet the criteria under the rating schedule.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's spinal conditions were rated based on their chronic orthopedic manifestations without incapacitating episodes or ankylosis, which precluded application of a higher evaluation.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD), thoracolumbar spine, Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD), cervical spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- April 18, 2014
- Citation
- 1417541
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 1417541.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) of the cervical and lumbar spine due to insufficient evidence from a previous VA examination, including lack of recent treatment records and an updated clinical evaluation.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new examinations to assess the severity of his PTSD and the nature and etiology of his claimed back, right knee, and left shoulder disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for cervical degenerative disc disease and service connection for throat cancer, claimed as due to exposure to Agent Orange.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted. The claim for TDIU was granted.
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