The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability and found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability did not warrant ratings in excess of those assigned.
The deciding factor: Medical evidence does not support a finding of a preexisting cervical spine disability, and there is no clear and unmistakable evidence to rebut the presumption of soundness at service entrance. The VA examiner opined that the cervical spine condition was less likely related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- cervical strain/myositis, degenerative changes in cervical spine, paravertebral muscle spasm, lumbosacral degenerative disc disease (DDD) L3-L4, L5-S1
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 22, 2017
- Citation
- 1734560
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 1734560.
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).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with paravertebral muscle spasm is rated at 40 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating as there was no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for paravertebral muscle spasm, low back was denied. A 40 percent rating has been granted effective March 6, 2017 and December 4, 2018.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of clarity in determining whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities interfere with his ability to dress, undress, feed himself, attend to the wants of nature, and protect himself from hazards. The Veteran is currently service connected for PTSD, DDD, hypothyroidism, strain left knee, strain right knee, degenerative changes in right hip, degenerative changes in left hip, and cervical spine issues.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal was denied for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for his low back disability prior to December 10, 2019. The Veteran's appeal was also denied for a higher rating from December 10, 2019.,The Veteran's appeal was remanded for the issue of entitlement to TDIU prior to August 16, 2016.
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