The Veteran's initial claims for increased ratings for cervical spine and TMJ disabilities were denied. The VA found that the conditions did not meet criteria for higher ratings based on range of motion, functional impairment, or other relevant factors.
The deciding factor: The VA determined that the Veteran’s disability did not warrant a rating in excess of the current assigned ratings under applicable diagnostic codes due to lack of evidence showing more severe limitations or complications.
- Claimed conditions
- Intervertebral disc disease (IVDS) of the cervical spine, Temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 14, 2020
- Citation
- 20066387
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 3,038 · Granted: 30% (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 20066387.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include insomnia and major depressive disorder with anxious distress, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disability. The claim for an earlier effective date for TMJ was denied, as well as a higher initial rating for TMJ. The claims for service connection for left and right shoulder conditions were remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including allergic rhinitis, TMJ, cervical strain, and others, to correct a duty to assist error that occurred prior to the April 2024 rating decision on appeal.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has not been received to readjudicate the claims for service connection for traumatic brain injury, bilateral knee condition, back condition, irritable bowel syndrome, and temporomandibular joint syndrome. The claim of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome is granted. The remaining claims are remanded due to a duty to assist error.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for further consideration, including a determination on whether the Veteran was unemployable due to service-connected disabilities from March 6, 2015, to June 20, 2016.
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