The Veteran's cervical spine disability was rated at 10 percent from October 30, 2014 to December 19, 2018. The Board granted a higher rating of 30 percent for this period based on the evidence showing more severe symptoms and limitations.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's range of motion was found to be 40 degrees forward flexion with combined range of motion at 240, which is close to the criteria for a 10% rating. The Board granted an increased rating due to additional functional loss and pain on movement.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical spine degenerative changes, Degenerative disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- April 5, 2019
- Citation
- 19126358
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.
- Denied
The appeal for an increased rating for left hip, the claims for entitlement to an earlier effective date and an increased rating for right knee strain, and the appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for left shoulder strain were dismissed. The claim for a 40 percent rating from June 24, 2021 for degenerative disc disease was granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for a lumbar spine disability as secondary to a cervical spine disability due to an inadequate medical opinion.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a higher initial rating of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, lumbosacral strain, and scoliosis, but remanded the other issues.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for degenerative disc disease, effective November 21, 2022.
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