The Veteran's claim for earlier effective dates and increased ratings for his cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities was granted.,Ankylosing spondylitis of the cervical spine and ankylosing spondylitis and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine were awarded service connection with effective dates of October 20, 2015. The Veteran's increased rating for his cervical spine disability was also granted.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed that the Veteran had forward flexion of the cervical spine at or below 30 degrees and forward flexion of the lumbar spine to 30 degrees or less, which met the criteria for a 20% rating under the General Rating Formula for Spine.
- Claimed conditions
- ankylosing spondylitis, degenerative arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- October 23, 2019
- Citation
- A19002137
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.
- Dismissed
The appeal seeking service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, degenerative arthritis, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension was dismissed due to non-compliance with claims processing rules.
- Partly granted
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- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including obtaining outstanding Social Security Administration records.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for a right foot disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, fibrocartilaginous calcaneonavicular with lateral cuneiform cuboid coalition, other unspecified right ankle disorder, and status post right foot fracture.
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