The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating available for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or limitation of motion beyond what is already reflected in the current 20 percent rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's flexion of the cervical spine was measured at 0 to 30 degrees, which falls within the parameters for a 20 percent rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. There is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or additional limitation of motion beyond what is already reflected in the current 20 percent rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Arthritis of the Cervical Spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- November 3, 2017
- Citation
- 1750132
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 1750132.
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 service-connected degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, lumbar disc disease, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral knee strains, residuals of a left ankle concussion, and bilateral pes cavus are found to be related to his obstructive sleep apnea. His claim for restoration of a 30 percent evaluation for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is granted.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings have been dismissed as the appeals were not properly initiated.,Claims related to service connection and effective dates have also been dismissed.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, and cervical radiculopathy. The decision is based on evidence showing that obesity, a result of immobility due to service-connected disabilities, exacerbated the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted a TDIU and SMC for statutory housebound due to service-connected disabilities, including anxiety disorder, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy. The combined rating is at least 100 percent.
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