The Veteran's cervical spine strain is currently rated at 20 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of limitation of motion or ankylosis.,The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine strain with degenerative joint disease is currently rated at 20 percent, and also does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s cervical spine disability has forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 15 degrees but not greater than 30 degrees, which does not meet the criteria for an increased rating under Diagnostic Code 5242.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical spine strain, Degenerative joint disease of thoracolumbar spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- January 27, 2024
- Citation
- 24004236
Veterans Law Judge
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 24004236.
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine strain, right wrist sprain, right knee strain, left knee strain, and right ankle strain. The disabilities are all deemed to have begun during the Veteran's active duty.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for a neck disorder, as it is insufficiently addressed in the previous decision. The case will be sent back for an addendum opinion.
- Denied
The Veteran's cervical spine disability and right upper extremity radiculopathy were denied increased evaluations. The TDIU claim was also denied prior to August 20, 2013.
- Granted
The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's cervical spine strain from October 24, 2011. The effective date is set at that time.
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