The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for IVDS of the cervical spine is denied as his disability does not meet the criteria for a 30 percent evaluation under the general formula for diseases and injuries of the spine.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s forward flexion of the cervical spine was found to be less than or equal to 15 degrees, which does not meet the criteria for a 30 percent rating as per the general rating formula for diseases and injuries of the spine.
- Claimed conditions
- IVDS of the cervical spine, rheumatoid arthritis (implied from degenerative joint disease), chronic tension headaches
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- July 18, 2019
- Citation
- 19155443
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 19155443.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted an initial rating of 50 percent for chronic tension headaches but denied higher ratings for right and left upper extremity radiculopathy, remanded claims for cervical strain, fibromyalgia, SLE, and TDIU.
- Dismissed
The veteran's appeals for service connection for joint pain, a right elbow disability, and chronic tension headaches were dismissed as untimely.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a disability rating of 30 percent for chronic tension headaches but remanded the claim for service connection for sleep disturbances.
- Dismissed
The appeal for earlier effective dates for the disability ratings of chronic tension headaches and diabetic neuropathy was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.
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