The Veteran's cervical strain is granted an initial rating of 20 percent, but not higher. The Veteran's chronic constipation and allergic rhinitis are denied initial compensable ratings.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s cervical strain disability picture more closely approximated flexion greater than 15 degrees but not greater than 30 degrees throughout the rating period, warranting a 20 percent rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.
- Claimed conditions
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Cervical Strain, Chronic Constipation of Unknown Etiology, Allergic Rhinitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- January 22, 2026
- Citation
- A26005989
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 A26005989.
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's PTSD rating was reduced from 70 percent to 50 percent, effective February 20, 2025. The Board finds the reduction improper and restores the 70 percent disability rating for PTSD.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 27, 2019 for the grant of service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no earlier claim document in the claims file and the Veteran did not timely perfect an appeal.
- Denied
The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is currently rated as 10 percent disabling prior to September 16, 2024 and noncompensable thereafter. The Board found the evidence against finding that his condition met the criteria for a higher rating.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD is granted as a result of military sexual trauma (MST) that occurred during service. The Board found the Veteran's testimony and supporting evidence credible, including her VA and private treatment records.
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