The Board denied entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for cervical spine strain prior to July 18, 2023 and denied entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 20 percent as of July 18, 2023.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's cervical spine strain did not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on the evidence provided, including range of motion findings and examination reports.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical spine strain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 23, 2024
- Citation
- 24003450
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.
- Partly granted
The Board denied increased ratings for cervical and thoracolumbar spine strains, TMJ disorder, dermatitis of the face, right knee chondromalacia grade II with patellar tendonitis, medial meniscal derangement, and Baker's cyst, and bilateral hearing loss. However, service connection was granted for radicular pain paresthesia of the right upper extremity.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, Panic Disorder, and Agoraphobia as well as cervical spine strain, right and left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right and left lower extremity radiculopathy. A 40 percent rating was assigned for gastritis.
- Partly granted
The Board granted increased initial ratings for cervical spine strain and cervicothoracic radiculopathy of both upper extremities, as well as service connection for right hand and wrist pain. The left hand disability was denied.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine strain, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable criteria.
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.