The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The cervical spinal fusion disability is rated at 40 percent, neck scars are rated at 30 percent, and loss of taste remains noncompensable.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical spinal fusion, Neck scars, Loss of taste
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 4, 2023
- Citation
- A23034503
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 A23034503.
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 further development due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to ionizing radiation during service and his loss of smell and taste.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for neurogenic bladder, granted a 10 percent initial rating for loss of smell and loss of taste, and denied service connection for traumatic brain injury.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has restored a 40 percent disability rating for the Veteran's cervical spine disability, effective March 1, 2021, finding that there was no sustained improvement in the severity of her condition.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for loss of taste was denied as the maximum schedular rating (10%) has already been assigned.,The Veteran's hearing loss claim is remanded due to an indication that her hearing loss may have worsened, requiring further evaluation.
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