The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 30 percent for his degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine (neck disability) as there was no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis, and the associated upper extremity radiculopathy symptoms were separately rated.
The deciding factor: There was no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine in the Veteran's case.
- Claimed conditions
- Degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine (neck disability)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 7, 2026
- Citation
- A26001375
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 A26001375.
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: Partly granted
The Veteran's neck disability was granted an initial rating of 20 percent prior to March 12, 2021. The other issues are remanded for further development.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted a 30 percent rating for the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and a 40 percent rating for lower back strain. The ratings for right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy were also adjusted, with TDIU granted.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, low back disability, knee strains, foot disability, and others, due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Veteran was granted a 20 percent rating for her neck disability beginning April 27, 2018, and had some issues denied or remanded.
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