The Veteran's service-connected right trapezius strain, rated as cervical spine strain, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to its limited range of motion and functional loss.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's disability did not result in forward flexion of the cervical spine to 30 degrees or less, combined range of motion to 170 degrees or less, or muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or spinal contour such as scoliosis.
- Claimed conditions
- right trapezius strain, neck pain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- August 13, 2019
- Citation
- 19162668
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 19162668.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including back pain, knee and wrist joint pains, neck pain, anxiety, depression, as further development is needed to properly adjudicate these claims.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for chronic diarrhea, headaches, and neck pain for initial adjudication on the merits by the AOJ.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeal of all issues related to service connection for various conditions, including back pain, neck pain, and nerve pain in both upper and lower extremities.
- Dismissed
The Board dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death, as there is no substituted appellant for this appeal.
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