The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability is not manifested by limitation of flexion to less than 15 degrees, and there is no ankylosis. The Veteran’s service-connected neck scar does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7800.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support showing of forward flexion of the cervical spine at 15 degrees or less, favorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine, or incapacitating episodes of at least four but no more than six weeks duration during the past 12 months for a rating in excess of 20 percent.
- Claimed conditions
- Scar on neck associated with shell fragment wound, Shell fragment wound to the neck with arthritis (Muscle Group XXIII)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 20, 2019
- Citation
- 19195739
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,861 · Granted: 27% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
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 19195739.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
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- Granted
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