The VA denied the Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his cervical spine disability, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.
The deciding factor: The VA determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability manifested by painful, limited motion did not result in forward flexion of the cervical spine being limited to 15 degrees or less, nor did it cause ankylosis or incapacitating episodes necessitating bed rest prescribed by a physician. The examiner noted that the Veteran had normal range of motion and no associated objective neurologic abnormalities.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine with old compression fracture at C6
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- January 28, 2015
- Citation
- 1504099
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 1504099.
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 Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected cervical spine condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling of VA examinations to determine the current severity of his cervical spine disorder. The claim will be reconsidered after these examinations are completed.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examination and consideration of new evidence. The issue remains about an increased rating for his service-connected cervical spine disability.
- 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.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.