The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating prior to August 16, 2011, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine was denied by the Board. The appeal is based on his complaints of pain and stiffness without evidence of limitation of motion or ankylosis.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's range of motion remained within normal limits since August 16, 2011, and there was no additional functional loss due to pain during flare-ups. The Board found that the symptoms were adequately addressed by the current rating criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Arthritis of the Cervical Spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 11, 2016
- Citation
- 1614518
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 1614518.
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: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, lumbar disc disease, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral knee strains, residuals of a left ankle concussion, and bilateral pes cavus are found to be related to his obstructive sleep apnea. His claim for restoration of a 30 percent evaluation for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is granted.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings have been dismissed as the appeals were not properly initiated.,Claims related to service connection and effective dates have also been dismissed.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, and cervical radiculopathy. The decision is based on evidence showing that obesity, a result of immobility due to service-connected disabilities, exacerbated the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran is granted a TDIU and SMC for statutory housebound due to service-connected disabilities, including anxiety disorder, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy. The combined rating is at least 100 percent.
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