The Veteran's cervical and lumbosacral spine disabilities are currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for these conditions. The VA examinations did not find any ankylosis or incapacitating episodes that would warrant a higher evaluation.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations found no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes that would justify a higher evaluation under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical degenerative changes
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 1, 2016
- Citation
- 1645202
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 1645202.
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).
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- Whole decision: Denied
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- Whole decision: Denied
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