The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that this rating is not warranted for any period on appeal.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations consistently showed flexion of the cervical spine to less than 45 degrees, with no ankylosis or IVDS. The Veteran's symptoms were described as painful motion, muscle spasms, and guarding without resulting in abnormal gait or spinal contour.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical Spine
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- February 2, 2026
- Citation
- 26001501
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 26001501.
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.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.
- Partly granted
The Board denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claim for service connection for cervical spine.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine, left elbow, and left knee conditions due to errors in obtaining necessary medical opinions and records.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability and Gulf War medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness. The Veteran's cervical spine disability was not related to his in-service period, and the claim of Gulf War exposure was not granted.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
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.