The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected cervical strain and lumbosacral strain, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.
The deciding factor: The Board determined that the Veteran’s symptoms of pain, muscle spasms, and guarding were related to his unrelated degenerative joint disease rather than his service-connected cervical strain or lumbosacral strain.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical Strain, Lumbosacral Strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 16, 2020
- Citation
- 20079483
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 20079483.
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 Veteran's PTSD rating was reduced from 70 percent to 50 percent, effective February 20, 2025. The Board finds the reduction improper and restores the 70 percent disability rating for PTSD.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings on several conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeals.,The Board has not assigned a specific rating or effective date as the claims are being remanded.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found a pre-decisional error in the denial of the Veteran's request to change his vocational rehabilitation goal from diesel technology to obtaining a music degree. The case is being remanded for further evaluation and consideration.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted, with effective dates set at October 18, 2023. The lumbosacral strain has also received a higher initial rating.
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