The Veteran's neck disability is now rated at 30 percent, effective October 17, 2018. His back disability remains rated at 20 percent.
The deciding factor: The January 2020 VA examination showed the Veteran’s cervical spine flexion limited to 15 degrees during a flare-up, warranting a rating of 30 percent under Diagnostic Code 5243 for degenerative spondylosis. The back disability was rated at 20 percent based on limitation of motion.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative spondylosis of the cervical spine (neck disability), Degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine (back disability)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- December 14, 2020
- Citation
- 20078766
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 20078766.
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 remands the claims for higher ratings for back, neck, and left knee disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a higher initial disability rating of 50 percent for the service-connected migraines and granted TDIU from February 17, 2014, to April 28, 2015, and from August 1, 2015. Service connection for a back disability was denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for back and left knee disabilities, as well as SMC at the housebound rate prior to October 29, 2018. The Veteran is required to undergo additional VA examinations and a determination regarding TDIU must be made.
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