The Veteran is granted a 30 percent disability rating for cervical spine spondylosis prior to March 8, 2018 and in excess of 30 percent thereafter. The Veteran's right wrist degenerative joint disease does not meet the criteria for an increased rating.,A 30 percent disability rating is granted for PTSD from June 1, 2010 to September 10, 2014. A higher rating is denied.,The Veteran is granted a TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's cervical spine disability resulted in forward flexion of the cervical spine being less than or equal to 15 degrees, which meets the criteria for a 30 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5242. The Veteran’s right wrist degenerative joint disease did not meet the criteria for ankylosis.,The severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran's PTSD symptoms from June 1, 2010 to September 10, 2014 met the criteria for a 70 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 9411. The severity, frequency, and duration of his PTSD symptoms from September 11, 2014 met the criteria for a 100 percent rating.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment from June 1, 2010 to September 10, 2014. The combined rating of his disabilities independent of his total disability rating for PTSD was above 60 percent.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical spine spondylosis, Degenerative changes of the lumbar spine, Right wrist degenerative joint disease, Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- June 16, 2020
- Citation
- 20040848
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 20040848.
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 Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the (o) rate and SMC at the (r)(2) rate, effective January 19, 2025. The decision finds that the Veteran's service-connected conditions warrant these awards due to his need for aid and attendance.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has identified a contradiction in the AOJ's determinations regarding the Veteran's need for aid and assistance, which requires clarification. The remanded issues are entitlement to SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another and on the basis of statutory housebound status.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for increased rating and earlier effective date for PTSD have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeal.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted service connection for a right knee scar secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability status post knee replacement. However, the rating for PTSD remains at 30 percent and needs to be re-adjudicated due to a failure to obtain private mental health treatment records.
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