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
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- 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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 19158208.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: 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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