The Veteran's cervical degenerative disease was not shown to warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to September 26, 2011. From September 26, 2011 to December 11, 2011, the disability warranted a 20 percent rating. As of December 12, 2011, the Veteran's cervical degenerative disease did not meet the criteria for a higher than 30 percent rating.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not show that the Veteran met the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code due to her service-connected cervical degenerative disease. The VA examinations and other medical records do not demonstrate forward flexion of the cervical spine limited to 15 degrees or less, unfavorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine, or other findings that would warrant a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical degenerative disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- October 21, 2016
- Citation
- 1641202
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 1641202.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's cervical degenerative disease is found to be related to his service, and he is granted service connection.
- Granted
The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 30 percent, effective April 9, 2013. The Board found that the symptoms most nearly approximated forward flexion of the cervical spine to 15 degrees or less, which meets the criteria for a 30 percent rating under the General Rating Formula.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected cervical strain with cervical degenerative disease has been rated at 30 percent since September 18, 2017. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of her symptoms or functional loss.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for cervical degenerative disease, tenosynovitis of the right thumb, and a surgical scar as residual to a uterine myomectomy. The Veteran's claims are now resolved in her favor.
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