The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to lack of evidence supporting limitation of motion or ankylosis.
The deciding factor: The VA examination findings do not support a finding of limitation of forward flexion to 15 degrees or less, nor does it present symptoms equivalent to ankylosis.
- Claimed conditions
- cervical spine strain, cervical stenosis, cervical spondylosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- October 16, 2018
- Citation
- 18142170
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 18142170.
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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for cervical spine strain, finding the evidence to be in equipoise on whether the condition began during active service or is related to service.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including bilateral foot disability, knee disability, ankle disability, cervical degenerative disc disease, spondylosis, and cervicalgia, secondary to a service-connected lumbar strain, as well as GERD. The claims of readjudication were also granted.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine strain, left upper extremity peripheral nerve condition, and right upper extremity peripheral nerve condition.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for cervical spine strain, left and right upper extremity radiculopathy, migraine headaches, and depressive disorder, finding that these conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.
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.