The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The Board also found that the Veteran’s claim of a separate disability evaluation for his spine was remanded.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that the evidence did not support an increase in rating or service connection based on the criteria provided by VA regulations.
- Claimed conditions
- multilevel degenerative changes of the cervical spine, residual, fracture of the left transverse process, second lumbar vertebra
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- September 8, 2020
- Citation
- 20058887
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 20058887.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for further development, specifically to obtain a VA examination that considers the ameliorative effects of medication on the Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issues of entitlement to an increased rating for multilevel degenerative changes of the cervical spine and residuals, fracture of left transverse process, second lumbar vertebra prior to May 22, 2013.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for service connection for an upper back/neck disability was denied in October 2007 due to lack of diagnosis and in-service event or injury. The Board has now reopened the claim based on new evidence, but remanded for further examination and opinion regarding service connection.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.