Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for heat stroke and increased the disability rating to 20 percent for both lower extremity radiculopathies, while denying a higher rating for cervical strain. The claims for higher ratings for knee disabilities were remanded.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of October 9, 2018, for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and special monthly compensation (SMC) pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).

The Board remands the claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings, as well as service connection for various conditions.

The appeal of the proposed severance of service connection for insomnia is dismissed.,Service connection for sinus tachycardia, claimed as chest pain, was granted due to its secondary nature to PTSD and major depressive disorder with insomnia.,Service connection for a dental disability, for compensation purposes, was denied.,Service connection for a hernia disability, to include an inguinal and/or umbilical hernia, was denied.,Service connection for a cervical spine disability was denied.,An initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis was denied.,A disability rating in excess of 30 percent for right knee disability was denied.,A disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder with insomnia was denied.,Service connection for a headache disability, as secondary to allergic rhinitis, is remanded.,Service connection for vertigo, claimed as dizziness, is remanded.,Service connection for hypothyroidism, claimed as thyroid condition, is remanded.,Service connection for a gastroesophageal disability, claimed as hiatal hernia, is remanded.

The Board remands the claim for a neck disability to correct pre-decisional errors, including obtaining outstanding service treatment records and private medical records.

The August 2024 Board of Veterans' Appeals decision was vacated and the issues were remanded for further development, including obtaining VA examinations to address service connection and rating issues.

The Board granted service connection for multiple back, neck, and upper/lower extremity disabilities as well as depression. The TBI claim was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disability and remanded the claim for a left hip disability for further development.

The Board granted service connection for a sphincterectomy and BPPV, but denied service connection for a hernia. The cervical spine disability and bilateral plantar fasciitis claims were remanded.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection and increased evaluations, resulting in the dismissal of all claims.

The Board remands the claims for a cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and sciatic nerve radiculopathy to provide the Veteran with VA examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a cervical disorder, vertigo, hypertension, and right ankle disorder to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for various conditions and DEA benefits, as no formal or informal claim was filed prior to January 18, 2023.

The Veteran is granted SMC at the L rate based on the need for regular aid and attendance since November 1, 2017, but denied prior to that date.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disorder and cervical spine disorder as further development is needed.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to January 25, 2024, and a rating in excess of 30 percent from that date for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, as well as a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to January 25, 2024, and a rating in excess of 40 percent from that date for lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative disc disease.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, neck disability, back disability, and left big toe disability to obtain additional medical evidence.

The Veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection for cervical spine disorder, jaw disorder, hemorrhoid disorder, and left foot disorder.

The Board remands the claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, a rating in excess of 10 percent for right patellofemoral syndrome, and a separate rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee instability due to inadequate VA examinations.