The Veteran's cervical spine disability was rated at 10 percent for the period from August 20, 2008 to May 2, 2013. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on incapacitating episodes or under the General Rating Formula for Spine Disabilities.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's cervical spine disability was rated at 10 percent due to pain limiting motion and muscle spasm without resulting in abnormal gait or spinal contour. The Board found no evidence of incapacitating episodes or severe muscle spasms leading to an abnormal gait or spinal contour during the period from August 20, 2008 to May 2, 2013.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical spine degenerative disc disease, Cervical spine degenerative joint disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 16, 2014
- Citation
- 1455241
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 1455241.
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 Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy. Service connection was denied for a groin condition.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied as the increase in severity of his conditions was not factually ascertainable within one year prior to March 30, 2023.,The effective dates for the grants of service connection for left knee instability and right knee instability are also denied.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates as they were received more than one year after her intent to file a claim, and no good cause extension was requested.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that there were duty to assist errors and remanded the case for further development, including a new examination of the Veteran's cervical spine disability.
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