The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for a cervical spine disability and service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The cervical spine disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, with no evidence of forward flexion limited to less than 30 degrees or IVDS. Bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for VA purposes.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's cervical spine disability did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine, as his range of motion was limited to 35 degrees. For bilateral hearing loss, there is no evidence that it meets the VA definition of a disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical spine disability, Bilateral hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 27, 2020
- Citation
- 20006629
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,934 · Granted: 41% (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 20006629.
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Related decisions
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- Granted
The Veteran's claim for a low back disorder was reopened, and his claims for increased ratings of bilateral knee instability were granted. His hearing loss claim was denied.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent, the maximum rating available under the General Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The evidence does not support a higher rating as his range of motion did not meet the criteria for an increased rating.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeals of the initial ratings for his service-connected chronic cough and bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to procedural errors in the evidentiary record.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus with hammer toes, hallux valgus and degenerative arthritis, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral kidney cysts, rendered him unable to secure or follow gainful employment. The Board granted the TDIU based on these conditions.
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