Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2025

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's cervical spine, lumbar spine, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities but granted a 10 percent rating for a painful scar of the mid back and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied service connection for several musculoskeletal disabilities and remanded the claim for a lumbar spine disability for readjudication, while also remanding claims for other musculoskeletal conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of posterior cervical fusion C5-C7 with degenerative arthritis of the spine, bilateral knee tendonitis and osteoarthritis, and tension headaches (also claimed as migraines).

The Board denied the claims for an increased rating and service connection, but remanded certain issues for further development.

The Veteran's IBS was granted, while other claims for service connection were denied or remanded.

The Board granted readjudication of several claims for service connection and increased ratings, while remanding others. The decision also denied an increased rating for a left knee disability.

The Board granted higher ratings for the Veteran's service-connected neck, right and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, right and left upper extremity radiculopathy, left hip (extension, flexion, abduction), right hip (extension, flexion, abduction), left knee (flexion), right knee (flexion), and left ankle (dorsiflexion, plantar flexion) disabilities, but denied higher ratings for the Veteran's service-connected low back disability.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and a neck disability, finding no evidence linking the conditions to active service or any in-service incidents.

The Board granted increased initial ratings for cervical spine strain and cervicothoracic radiculopathy of both upper extremities, as well as service connection for right hand and wrist pain. The left hand disability was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for cervical spondylosis based on the evidence showing forward flexion greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 40 degrees and combined range of motion of the cervical spine greater than 170 degrees but less than 335 degrees.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for higher initial ratings and service connection, which were dismissed by the Board.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection and higher initial ratings for various conditions, including PTSD, shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, migraine headaches, thoracic strain, cervical strain, allergic rhinitis, hemorrhoids, right hand index finger residuals, right wrist residuals, and peripheral neurological involvement.

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for a cervical spine disability due to a duty to assist error and the need for an addendum medical opinion.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disorders due to the need for additional development and clarification of evidence.

The Board remands the matters for additional development to ensure compliance with the Court's directives in the August 2024 Joint Motion.

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for a cervical spine disability due to an incomplete effort in obtaining the Veteran's complete service treatment records.

The Board remands the matter for additional development, including obtaining a new medical opinion and requesting VA treatment records from 1977 to 1998.

The Board remands multiple issues, including service connection claims and rating increases for various disabilities.

The Board remands the claim for a medical opinion on whether the Veteran's cervical spine disorder is due to or aggravated by service-connected disability.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, and spinal stenosis of the cervical spine to obtain new medical opinions addressing specific issues raised by the Veteran.