The Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for his cervical spine, low back, and right shoulder disabilities were denied. The appeals are based on the criteria set forth in VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet or approximate the criteria for any of the requested increased disability ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis, cervical spine, Low back strain with arthritis, Degenerative arthritis, right shoulder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 26, 2014
- Citation
- 1438131
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 1438131.
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 Board remands the claim for a new medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's degenerative arthritis, cervical spine was aggravated by his service-connected degenerative disc disease lumbar spine.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis, cervical spine as there is no evidence of a current disability that began during or was caused by military service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, in combination, precluded her from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment since June 8, 2019.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding it at least as likely as not caused by the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder. The claims for degenerative arthritis of the shoulders and cervical spine DDD are remanded due to lack of a VA examination. The claim for radiculopathy of the right upper extremity is inextricably intertwined with the cervical spine disability.
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