The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and cervical spine disabilities are now rated at their highest possible levels, with a 100 percent rating for unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine effective November 15, 2021. The ratings for prior periods remain denied.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms more closely approximated unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine as of November 15, 2021, warranting a 100 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5243 (unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine).
- Claimed conditions
- Unfavorable Ankylosis of the Entire Spine, Lumbar Fracture with Disc Disease, Arthritis, and Scoliosis (lumbar spine disability), Cervical Spine Arthritis, Scoliosis, Disc Disease, and Herniated Nucleus Pulposus (cervical spine disability)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 100%
- Decision date
- January 7, 2026
- Citation
- 26000174
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 26000174.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
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