The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability and service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes related to his spine disabilities. The Board also found that there was insufficient medical evidence to establish a causal relationship between the Veteran's cervical spine disability and either his service or his service-connected lumbar spine disability.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations did not provide sufficient evidence to support a finding of ankylosis, incapacitating episodes, or a direct link between the Veteran's cervical spine disability and his service or service-connected lumbar spine disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease (Cervical Spine), Degenerative Disc Disease (Cervical Spine)
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 24, 2015
- Citation
- 1508033
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1508033.
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: Denied
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 30 percent disability rating for his cervical spine disability is denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of worsening in the one year prior to his May 7, 2019, claim for an increased rating.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, and an increased rating for other specified trauma- and stressor-related disorder. The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of multiple joints were remanded.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, cervical spine disability, radiculopathy (right and left upper extremities), posttraumatic residual degenerative joint disease of the right hip, posttraumatic residual fracture injury of right leg with impairment of right knee extension, obstructive sleep apnea, lumbar spine disability, and TDIU are all granted. The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 30% from August 3, 2023 onwards.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70% rating, effective from the date of the decision. Other disabilities are also addressed and rated appropriately.
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.