The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 30 percent, effective September 11, 2023.,Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and cherry hemangioma are granted.,Cherry hemangioma is characterized as a medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness of unknown etiology.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran's cervical spine disability most closely approximated forward flexion of the cervical spine less than 15 degrees and/or favorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine throughout the period on appeal.,Service connection is granted for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine based on continuity of symptomatology, as well as service in Southwest Asia during the Persian Gulf War. Cherry hemangioma is characterized as a medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness of unknown etiology.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine with intervertebral disc syndrome, Degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, Cherry hemangioma
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- September 11, 2023
- Citation
- 23050103
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 23050103.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine was dismissed as a matter of law due to a full grant of benefits. The appeals for left knee and left ankle disabilities are remanded.
- Granted
The Veteran's lumbar disability and associated radiculopathy of the sciatic and femoral nerves are granted with effective dates from June 30, 2010. A 40% rating is assigned for the lumbar disability.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability, including degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 40 percent for his back disability is denied. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU from February 25, 2016, to August 14, 2022, is also denied. The effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits is denied.
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.