The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent prior to September 28, 2013, and increased to 20 percent thereafter. The appeal for a higher rating remains denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support an increase in the rating beyond 20 percent as there are no findings of forward flexion limited to 15 degrees or less, favorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine, or incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 4 weeks but less than 6 weeks during the past 12 months.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical spine degenerative disc disease (DDD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- November 29, 2021
- Citation
- 21071152
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 21071152.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The TDIU was granted effective September 26, 2022.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine DDD, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy due to inadequate examination reports and new evidence.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the merits have been dismissed as he withdrew his claims for abdominal injury, tuberculosis, spots on the lungs, and kidney disorder. The remaining issues of cervical spine DDD, right shoulder neuritis, pelvis fracture residuals, right leg disorder, left leg disorder, right hip disorder, and left hip disorder were denied.
- Denied
The Veteran's cervical spine DDD and CAD were denied increased ratings.,Hypertension, hemorrhoids, and right foot fracture with gout were also denied increased ratings.
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