The Veteran's cervical spine disability is not service-connected, and his left knee disability has been granted a 20% evaluation.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran's neck disability was less likely related to his in-service injury and more likely due to normal degeneration. The left knee disability was found to closely approximate the criteria for a 20% evaluation under DC 5258, which accounts for frequent episodes of 'locking,' pain, and effusion.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical spine (neck) disability, Left knee residuals, status post meniscectomy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 14, 2023
- Citation
- 23060738
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 23060738.
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: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability with left upper extremity radiculopathy, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or chronic condition. The Board concluded that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for direct service connection.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine (neck) disability due to insufficient evidence showing a current disability related to service.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for GERD, sleep apnea, and a cervical spine disability. The claim for a migraine headache disability was remanded for further development.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection and initial rating due to the need for additional VA examinations.
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