The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for Degenerative Joint Disease of the Cervical Spine was denied. However, his Sarcoidosis condition received a 30% disability rating effective September 2, 2015.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s episodes of bed rest due to his cervical spine disability did not meet the criteria for intervertebral disc syndrome as defined by VA regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative Joint Disease of the Cervical Spine, Sarcoidosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 22, 2018
- Citation
- 18128378
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 18128378.
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: Dismissed
The appeal as to the proposed severance of service connection for sarcoidosis is dismissed. The Veteran's OSA and BHL are denied, but a compensable rating is granted for BHL.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), obstructive sleep apnea, and sarcoidosis due to potential service connection issues.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine was found to not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating, as it did not result in forward flexion of 15 degrees or less and there was no evidence of favorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's PTSD is related to service and the claim for service connection has been granted. The claims of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, CAD, GERD, kidney disease, sarcoidosis, and OSA are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.