The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical spondylotic myelopathy, thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and associated radiculopathies have been denied. The RO has granted separate ratings for the upper and lower extremity radiculopathies.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence does not support a higher rating based on additional limitation of motion or other factors such as pain, weakness, excess fatigability, or incoordination.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical spondylotic myelopathy, status post fusion, Thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease, Right upper extremity radiculopathy associated with cervical spondylotic myelopathy, status post fusion, Left upper extremity radiculopathy associated with cervical spondylotic myelopathy, status post fusion, Right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease, Left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 19, 2017
- Citation
- 1758664
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 1758664.
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 initial claim for a higher rating for thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 10 percent.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's service connected thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, radiculopathy of the right upper and lower extremities, and radiculopathy of the left upper and lower extremities are all remanded for further development.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including thoracolumbar and cervical spine conditions, preclude locomotion without the aid of a walker, warranting eligibility for specially adapted housing.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied a compensable disability rating for hypertension. Several issues related to increased ratings were remanded.
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