The Veteran's initial increased rating of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is granted from January 6, 2020 to present. The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine condition continues to be rated at 10 percent.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s forward flexion in the cervical spine was greater than 15 degrees but not greater than 30 degrees, meeting the criteria for a 20 percent rating under DCs 5237 and 5243.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis, Degenerative joint disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- October 28, 2020
- Citation
- 20069761
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 Board granted service connection for a neck injury, including degenerative arthritis, IVDS, spinal stenosis, and history of spinal fusion, based on the evidence showing chronicity since service.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of February 25, 2025 for the award of service connection for degenerative disc disease thoracolumbar spine with degenerative arthritis, spinal stenosis, and levoscoliosis.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for a back condition to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including obtaining an appropriate medical examination and associated opinion.
- Partly granted
The Board granted readjudication of the claim for service connection for a back disability based on new and relevant evidence, but remanded the issue for further development.
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