The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, the highest available rating for this condition. The VA examiner found that forward flexion of the cervical spine was limited to 30 degrees and there were no other findings warranting a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s range of motion did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as per the applicable rating criteria, specifically failing to demonstrate forward flexion of the cervical spine at or below 15 degrees or favorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical Spine Strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 7, 2016
- Citation
- 1609023
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 1609023.
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 determined that the decision on appeal is legally inadequate due to insufficient notification and an inadequately supported medical opinion. The case is being remanded for further action.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine, bilateral shoulder, and right ankle disabilities are remanded for further evaluation. The Veteran also has claims for increased ratings for tension headaches and sinusitis, which are also remanded.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted a 40 percent rating from September 28, 2019 for the Veteran's service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome with disc herniation L3-S1, status post discectomy L3-4 and L4-5. The other conditions have been rated based on their direct service connection.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable evaluation for service-connected bilateral hearing loss has been denied. The appeal for service connection of a cervical spine disorder is remanded due to the need for a VA medical opinion.
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