The Veteran's cervical spine disability was previously rated at 20 percent, and the Board has restored this rating. A higher rating of 30 percent is denied.
The deciding factor: Improvement in the Veteran’s cervical spine degenerative changes under ordinary conditions of life and work was not established when the rating reduction was implemented.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical spine degenerative changes
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- February 28, 2019
- Citation
- 19114650
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,341 · Granted: 33% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 19114650.
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 Veteran's cervical spine disability and basilar artery insufficiency are currently rated at the lowest possible levels, with a 10 percent rating for a residual neck scar effective February 13, 2014. The Board denied higher ratings for these conditions.
- Granted
The Board has granted a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extra-schedular basis from September 29, 2011, to March 15, 2021.
- Granted
The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 30 percent since August 10, 2010. The Board found that the Veteran’s symptoms more closely approximated a limitation of forward flexion to 15 degrees or less.
- Granted
The Veteran's cervical spine disabilities, along with his left upper extremity neurological involvement, have resulted in a need for regular aid and assistance with daily activities. The Board has granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance.
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