The Veteran's neck and low back disabilities are found to be related to his military service, including a motor vehicle accident in 1980. The VA examiner provided medical evidence supporting the link between these conditions and service.
The deciding factor: Medical records show that the Veteran experienced symptoms of cervical degenerative disc disease and low back disability since at least 1981, which is consistent with his military service history.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical degenerative disc disease, Low back disability (status post laminectomy)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- December 8, 2016
- Citation
- 1646137
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 1646137.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's cervical spine disability, including right and left upper extremity radiculopathies, is granted as service connected. The issues of right and left upper extremity radiculopathy are remanded for further examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to inconsistencies in the medical evidence regarding her arm symptoms and radiculopathy. The VA will obtain a report of the May 2024 nerve conduction study and schedule an examination to determine if she has a right and/or left arm disability, including radiculopathy, that is related to her cervical spine disability.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for PTSD, cervical degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and radiculopathies of the upper and lower extremities. A 30 percent rating was also granted for vertigo associated with TBI.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD was granted a total disability rating from August 22, 2019, and special monthly compensation at the housebound rate from September 30, 2019. The Veteran is also granted individual unemployability based on service-connected disabilities from December 1, 2013.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.