The Veteran's cervical spine strain with degenerative arthritis disability is rated at a 20 percent since December 31, 2009.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found no limitation of motion more nearly approximating forward flexion of the cervical spine to 15 degrees or less; or favorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine. The Veteran's lay reports were considered in favor of his claim for a higher rating, but did not result in a higher rating.
- Claimed conditions
- Cervical spine strain with degenerative arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 20%
- Decision date
- March 23, 2026
- Citation
- A26025949
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 A26025949.
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 Board has remanded several claims for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and attempting to obtain any outstanding private medical records. The Veteran's service-connected conditions include PTSD, cervical spine strain with degenerative arthritis, lumbar strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, left lower extremity radiculopathy, laparoscopic cholecystectomy with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and residual scars from the procedure.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the issues of an effective date prior to February 12, 2012, for the grant of a separate compensable rating for right cervical radiculopathy and initial ratings for cervical spine strain with degenerative arthritis and mild reversal of normal lordosis since February 12, 2012.
- Granted
The VA granted the veteran's claim for service connection for cervical spine strain with degenerative arthritis, assigning a 10% evaluation effective June 1, 2000. The decision also addressed the veteran's claim for malocclusion with TMJ dysfunction and granted it.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
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