The Veteran's chronic cervical strain is rated at 20 percent since December 17, 2015. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations showed the Veteran’s forward flexion of the cervical spine was limited to 40 degrees or greater with repetitive motion and combined range of motion did not exceed 335 degrees, which does not meet the criteria for an increased rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic cervical strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 9, 2020
- Citation
- 20078030
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 20078030.
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 issue of entitlement to an increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected chronic cervical strain due to a lack of adequate VA examination.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remanded the claims for a higher rating due to inadequate VA examinations. A new examination is required to assess the veteran's conditions during flare-ups and repeated use.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for chronic cervical strain, chronic lumbar strain, and chronic left and right shoulder sprains prior to November 30, 2022.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for thrombocytopenia purpura and higher ratings for several other conditions due to lack of evidence or failure to attend scheduled VA examinations.
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