The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating as well as separate ratings for other radiculopathy conditions.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the Veteran’s cervical spine disability warranted a higher than 20 percent evaluation based on forward flexion or combined range of motion criteria. Additionally, there was no objective evidence supporting separate ratings for right upper and lower extremity radiculopathy.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease (DJD), right-sided cervical spondylosis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 1, 2021
- Citation
- 21005545
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 21005545.
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 has remanded the claims for increased ratings for lumbar strain, right shoulder strain, and right knee strain due to incomplete VA examinations. The Veteran's radiculopathy of the lower extremities are also being remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the other claims.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to incomplete records, including physical therapy treatment records. The Veteran is also requested to provide a detailed employment history.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's appeal was denied as the claims for increased ratings were not granted. The conditions, including hearing loss and sleep apnea, did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected back disability and radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, as well as for new records from VA facilities.
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