The Board has restored the Veteran's 20 percent rating for his service-connected cervical spine disability, effective June 21, 2017. The higher than 20 percent and compensable ratings for restrictive lung disease and tension headaches remain denied.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations consistently showed forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 40 degrees, with no evidence of ankylosis or IVDS requiring bed rest and treatment by a physician. The Veteran's symptoms were consistent throughout the appeal period.
- Claimed conditions
- multilevel cervical spondylosis, cervical degenerative disc disease, cervical muscle strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- January 14, 2020
- Citation
- 20002986
Veterans Law Judge
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 20002986.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted effective dates of November 6, 2020 for both the TDIU and DEA benefits. The Veteran had no service-connected disabilities prior to this date.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an adequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's cervical spine disability is caused or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar disability.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset and relationship to his military service. An additional VA examination is needed to address these matters.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation (SMC) and special monthly pension (SMP) based on need for regular aid and attendance (A&A) or housebound status due to insufficient evidence showing that he needed such assistance.
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