The Veteran's cervical spine disability has not been shown to warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent since July 11, 2016.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's forward flexion was found to be greater than 15 degrees and no ankylosis or incapacitating episodes were demonstrated.
- Claimed conditions
- strain of the cervical spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- July 30, 2019
- Citation
- 19158208
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 19158208.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection of spinal stenosis and strain of the cervical spine was granted with an effective date of February 3, 2021. The Board denied a request for an earlier effective date as there was no prior submission of a formal or informal service connection claim.
- Granted
The Veteran's spondylosis, degenerative disc disease, and strain of the cervical spine are found to be related to service. Service connection is granted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected patellofemoral syndrome (including degenerative joint disease) of the bilateral knees and strain of the cervical spine due to inadequate examinations in February 2018.
- Granted
The Veteran's initial increased ratings for cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities are granted, with the cervical spine rated at 20% effective November 18, 2013, and the thoracolumbar spine rated at 40%. The rating is based on the current functional limitations of the spinal joints.
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