The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent, effective from the date of this decision. The lumbar spine disability remains rated at 20 percent.
The deciding factor: The evidence shows that the Veteran's cervical spine disability has been manifested by forward flexion limited to 35 degrees, which meets the criteria for a 20 percent rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The lumbar spine disability was not shown to meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- January 11, 2018
- Citation
- 1802178
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 1802178.
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 Board granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, left shoulder strain, and osteoarthritis of the left hip status post left hip replacement based on a nexus to the Veteran's military service as a Navy SEAL.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, left and right upper extremity radiculopathy, as secondary to a service-connected lower back disability.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and carpal tunnel syndrome based on continuity of symptomatology since separation from service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and entitlement to TDIU due to the need for a medical opinion on whether the Veteran's symptoms amount to functional ankylosis.
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