The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected cervical strain and IVDS with degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine have been denied. The criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes have not been met.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's conditions do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable Diagnostic Codes (DCs) for cervical strain and IVDS with degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic Cervical Strain, IVDS with Degenerative Joint Disease of the Lumbar Spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 25, 2016
- Citation
- 1633706
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 1633706.
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 Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further evaluation and determination of service connection for kidney stones, which were not addressed in the original decision.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran is entitled to a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability prior to February 13, 2015 due to his service-connected disabilities. On or after February 13, 2015, the combined rating of his service-connected disabilities does not meet the criteria for TDIU.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the evidence does not support a higher rating based on functional loss due to pain or other factors.
- Whole decision: Granted
The veteran's headaches, secondary to his service-connected chronic cervical strain with limitation of motion of the upper extremities, are currently rated at 10 percent.
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