The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine with spondylosis were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable VA rating schedule.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms and range of motion findings did not warrant a higher rating based on the current schedular criteria, which requires specific limitations in flexion or ankylosis to justify increased ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine with spondylosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 20, 2015
- Citation
- 1516928
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 1516928.
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 Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA medical records and scheduling a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected cervical spine disability. The issue of an increased rating for right cervical radiculopathy will also be addressed.
- Whole decision: Granted
The veteran's initial rating for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine with spondylosis was increased to 30 percent effective June 11, 2007. The veteran is now rated at 40 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with spondylosis from that date.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
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