The Veteran's cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities are currently rated as 20 percent for each, but the evidence does not support a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations showed no ankylosis or other exceptional circumstances that would warrant a higher rating based on limitation of motion. The Veteran’s symptoms were described as constant severe pain with some functional limitations, but without additional loss of range of motion after repetitive use and without evidence of muscle spasm, instability, redness, heat, or guarding.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative joint disease to the cervical spine, Degenerative joint disease to the thoracolumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 8, 2016
- Citation
- 1609329
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 1609329.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
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- Granted
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