The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are currently rated at 20% and 40%, respectively. The Board finds that the current ratings adequately reflect his symptoms as described in the rating criteria.
The deciding factor: The most recent VA examination conducted during a flare-up demonstrated forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine limited to 30 degrees, which is within the range for a 40% disability rating. The Veteran's pain levels and need for medication are consistent with his current ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- cervical spine strain, lumbosacral spine strain (including degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- July 9, 2019
- Citation
- 19152551
Veterans Law Judge
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 19152551.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine strain, thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease and lumbosacral strain (back conditions), left lower extremity pain, right lower extremity pain, left shoulder strain, and right hip pain. The evidence does not show a nexus between these conditions and active duty.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence related to the Veteran's claim for entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been received since the May 2023 rating decision. The claims of increased ratings for cervical spine strain, right shoulder arthralgia, right knee arthralgia based on limitation of flexion, left knee arthralgia based on limitation of flexion, and entitlement to a 40 percent rating, but no higher, for right knee arthralgia based on limitation of extension from October 28, 2024 to February 25, 2025 are remanded.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that it is related to the Veteran's diagnosed obesity and his service-connected disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's sleep apnea is being remanded for further evaluation due to insufficient opinions regarding its relationship to his service-connected disabilities and obesity.
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