The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine degenerative joint disease (DJD) has been granted. The initial disability rating for major depressive disorder remains at 30 percent, and the increased disability rating for chronic cervical strain disability is set at 10 percent.
The deciding factor: Service connection was established based on chronic symptoms of DJD that were present in service and continue to persist post-service.
- Claimed conditions
- cervical spine degenerative joint disease (DJD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- April 29, 2015
- Citation
- 1518529
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 1518529.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted initial ratings for cervical spine DJD, right and left upper extremity radiculopathy, lumbar DJD, and right lower extremity radiculopathy, but denied higher ratings for right hip limitation of flexion and extension.
- Denied
The Board denied increased disability ratings for the Veteran's right and left foot disabilities, migraine headaches, cervical spine degenerative joint disease, and posttraumatic stress disorder at any point during the appeal period.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an effective date of September 15, 2022 for the increased rating of 40 percent for low back pain and August 7, 2023 for service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease with spinal fusion, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.
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