The Board denied a disability rating greater than 30 percent for degenerative disk disease of the cervical spine based on the evidence showing that the Veteran's symptoms did not warrant an increased disability rating.
The deciding factor: The May 2024 VA examination found that the Veteran's forward flexion endpoint after repeated use and during a flare up were both 20 degrees, and there was no evidence of incapacitating episodes or functional limitations equivalent to ankylosis.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative disk disease of the cervical spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- April 22, 2025
- Citation
- 25005415
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,934 · Granted: 41% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed decisions on this site)
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 25005415.
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 Veteran's degenerative disk disease of the cervical spine prior to January 8, 2019 is currently rated at 20 percent and does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative disk disease of the cervical spine is related to service, specifically an in-service motor vehicle accident. Service connection for this condition is granted.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for degenerative disk disease of the cervical spine, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to an in-service injury and noting inconsistencies in the Veteran's testimony regarding when he first experienced symptoms.
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