The Veteran's cervical spine disability has been rated at 20 percent since August 7, 2014. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for any period of time.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s range of motion is limited to flexion and extension to 20 degrees with pain, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5235 (rating schedule for diseases and injuries of the spine).
- Claimed conditions
- Fracture of bilateral lamina at C2, Degenerative joint disease, status post anterior cervical fusion (ACF), Myelopathy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 26, 2016
- Citation
- 1629886
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 1629886.
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 granted an earlier effective date of July 11, 2019 for the grant of service connection for cervical arthritis, stenosis, and myelopathy. The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is denied due to lack of evidence supporting a causal relationship with service-connected conditions or other factors.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to ambiguity in medical opinions regarding the cause and aggravation of the Veteran's sciatic nerve disability. The new opinion is needed to address whether the May 2009 cervical decompressive laminectomy caused or aggravated any existing right lower extremity disabilities.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's cervical spine disability, including spinal stenosis and myelopathy, is being remanded for further development to address the etiology of his condition. His claim for TDIU remains pending.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran has been granted compensation under 38 U.S.C. 1151 for degenerative disc disease/degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine due to carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar fault on the part of VA during a surgical procedure.
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