The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 30 percent since July 21, 2014. The Board found that the evidence supported this rating as his forward flexion was limited to 10 degrees, meeting the criteria for a 30 percent rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s forward flexion of neck was consistently limited to 10 degrees since July 21, 2014, which meets the criteria for a 30 percent disability rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disease of the cervical spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- March 16, 2021
- Citation
- 21014996
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 21014996.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
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 intervertebral disc disease of the lumbar spine and degenerative disease of the cervical spine to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including degenerative diseases of the cervical and lumbar spine, radiculopathies affecting various extremities, OSA, hepatic steatosis, and supraventricular arrhythmia.
- Granted
The Board granted an earlier effective date of October 4, 2006, for the award of service connection for degenerative disease of the cervical spine.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his cervical spine disability prior to July 21, 2014 was denied as the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.