The Veteran's increased ratings for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA Rating Schedule.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not show that the Veteran's cervical or lumbar spine disabilities resulted in more than slight impairment, which is consistent with the current 20% and 40% ratings assigned.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Disk Disease (DDD) of the cervical spine, Degenerative Disk Disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 14, 2015
- Citation
- 1539281
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 1539281.
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 Board has remanded the cases for further development and readjudication due to unresolved issues regarding effective dates and service connection determinations.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the VA examiner's opinion is inadequate and requires further examination to address the Veteran’s lay statements regarding his service-connected back pain.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection of a low back disability and has determined that service connection is warranted based on continuity of symptomatology since service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board found that the Veteran's back disability is not related to his service or secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus, and thus denied the claim.
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