The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 30 percent, and he has been granted a TDIU since July 25, 2015. The Board found that the evidence does not warrant a higher rating for his cervical spine disability.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations did not show unfavorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine, which is required for a higher 40 percent rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The Veteran's range of motion was found to be within normal limits or improved over time.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical degenerative disc disease (DDD), Trapezius strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- September 24, 2020
- Citation
- 20063024
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 20063024.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to SMC based on the need for aid and attendance for the Veteran's spouse due to conflicting information in the June 2025 examination. A VA examination is needed to determine if the spouse requires regular aid and attendance.
- Granted
The Veteran is entitled to a total disability rating for individual unemployability (TDIU) from June 2, 2010, to March 13, 2014.
- Partly granted
The Board granted earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for PTSD and residuals of a TBI, to include migraine headaches, but denied earlier effective dates for lumbosacral strain, cervical DDD, right upper extremity radiculopathy associated with cervical DDD, and left upper extremity radiculopathy associated with cervical DDD.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for cervical DDD, finding that the current condition is not etiologically related to service.,The Board also denied service connection for a painful joint disorder, as there was no separate disability found and the Veteran's symptoms were already compensated or separately appealed.
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