The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent since September 21, 2013. This rating reflects the limitation of motion and associated symptoms.
The deciding factor: The VA examination showed forward flexion to 45 degrees with pain from 20 to 45 degrees, meeting the criteria for a 20 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5242.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease (Cervical Spine)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 12, 2017
- Citation
- 1700991
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1700991.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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: Denied
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 30 percent disability rating for his cervical spine disability is denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of worsening in the one year prior to his May 7, 2019, claim for an increased rating.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer, and an increased rating for other specified trauma- and stressor-related disorder. The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of multiple joints were remanded.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, cervical spine disability, radiculopathy (right and left upper extremities), posttraumatic residual degenerative joint disease of the right hip, posttraumatic residual fracture injury of right leg with impairment of right knee extension, obstructive sleep apnea, lumbar spine disability, and TDIU are all granted. The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 30% from August 3, 2023 onwards.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to issues with the rating assigned for cervical spine degenerative joint disease and upper extremity radiculopathy, including failure to address certain evidence and lack of clear criteria for assigning ratings.
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