The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU prior to February 4, 2014 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the General Formula or IVDS Formula.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not show ankylosis of the cervical spine or incapacitating episodes lasting between four and six weeks during any twelve-month period prior to February 4, 2014.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) of the Cervical Spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- September 13, 2017
- Citation
- 1738815
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 1738815.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Veteran's initial increased ratings for cervical spine disability with DDD and bulging disc were denied. The claim was also denied for a higher rating from April 14, 2020.,The Board found that the Veteran did not meet criteria for ankylosis or unfavorable ankylosis of the cervical spine, thus denying her request for increased ratings.
- Denied
The Board denied a higher disability rating for the Veteran's cervical spine DDD and TDIU benefits, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for increased ratings or entitlement to TDIU.
- Granted
The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease and radiculopathy of the upper extremities are rated at 30 percent, effective September 7, 2020. The status post left shoulder rotator cuff repair is denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including those related to insomnia disorder, erectile dysfunction, chronic fatigue syndrome, blackout spells, DDD of the cervical spine, pinched nerve as secondary to DDD of the cervical spine, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and right shoulder disability. The Veteran's hypertension claim is also being remanded.
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