The Board denied higher ratings for the Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease and bilateral upper extremity cervical radiculopathy as there was no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or other criteria that would warrant a higher rating.

The deciding factor: The October 2023 examination did not show any evidence of unfavorable ankylosis, which is required for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula. The Veteran's symptoms were consistent with a 30% and 20% rating respectively, but no higher.

Claimed conditions

Cervical spine degenerative disc disease, Left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, Right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

None in this decision

Decision date

February 25, 2025

Citation

A25016955

Want to see how appeals like this one tend to go? Appeals like mine