The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his cervical spine DDD and left upper extremity radiculopathy was granted, with the effective date being September 3, 2008. The assigned ratings are 20 percent for cervical spine DDD and 40 percent for left upper extremity radiculopathy.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms of pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, muscle atrophy, and decreased reflexes were consistent with the criteria for a 20 percent rating for cervical spine DDD. His left upper extremity radiculopathy was rated as severe based on his VA neurosurgeons' recommendations for surgery.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD), Degenerative Arthritis, Spondylosis, Stenosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- July 20, 2017
- Citation
- 1728511
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 1728511.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) is being remanded due to a failure to provide the Veteran with a VA examination in connection with her claim. The Board finds that this was a pre-decisional duty to assist error and requires rescheduling of the examination.
- Denied
The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, tendinitis, and strain, status post arthroscopy with meniscal tear and degenerative arthritis (limitation of flexion), and awarded an initial compensable rating for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, tendinitis, and strain, status post arthroscopy with meniscal tear and degenerative arthritis (limitation of extension).
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's back disorder is remanded for further examination and opinion to determine its etiology, including consideration of his in-service injury and treatment.
- Granted
The Veteran's degenerative disc disease is related to service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.
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