The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for cervical spondylosis was denied, with the Board finding that his forward flexion of the cervical spine did not meet the criteria for an increased rating.,The Veteran's PTSD claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence addressing all potential stressors and other acquired psychiatric disorders.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s forward flexion of the cervical spine was measured at 20 degrees, which does not meet the requirement for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5242.,The VA examiner did not address all potential stressors raised by the Veteran and failed to provide an opinion on whether any other acquired psychiatric disorders are related to service.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative cervical spondylosis, Acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 18, 2019
- Citation
- 19119502
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,272 · Granted: 31% (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 19119502.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD; left shoulder disability; and right shoulder disability. The Veteran did not meet the current disability requirement or provide sufficient evidence to support a link between his military service and these conditions.
- Granted
The Board granted a rating of 40 percent for lumbar degenerative disc disease and 30 percent for degenerative cervical spondylosis, effective March 6, 2016. The claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU was denied.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and a sinus condition. The evidence did not support the Veteran's assertions that these conditions were related to his military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle sprain, but the claims for acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), back disorder, and sleep apnea are remanded due to insufficient evidence.
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