Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2025

The Board denied an earlier effective date prior to August 14, 2023 for the assignment of a 20 percent disability rating for a right knee disability and remanded increased rating claims for left knee, lumbar spine, and cervical spine disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board granted service connection for cervical and lumbar spine conditions, finding that the Veteran's neck and back injuries were the result of a motor vehicle accident (MVA) occurring in December 2007 while she was traveling directly from funeral honors duty, which is treated as inactive duty training (IDT) for VA compensation purposes.

The Board granted service connection for an undiagnosed illness manifested by gastrointestinal signs and symptoms, a cervical spine disability (herniated disc C6-C7), and bilateral pes planus. The decision also remanded several issues for further consideration.

The Board granted readjudication of the claim for service connection for melanoma, but denied readjudication for cervical strain, sinusitis, and myeloma.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, a back disability, and a neck disability based on the Veteran's reports of in-service onset and continuous symptoms.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a cervical spine condition, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board granted service connection for a right knee condition based on aggravation of a preexisting disability, but denied service connection for a cervical spine condition.

The Board denied more than a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected right and left lower extremity varicose veins, as well as higher initial ratings for his lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, intervertebral disc syndrome, herniated disc, right and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, and denied service connection for a neck disability.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for arthritis of the cervical spine, bilateral knees, bilateral elbows, and bilateral shoulders to obtain new VA medical opinions that adequately address whether these conditions are related to military service or aggravated by service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for dizziness and giddiness, as well as increased disability ratings for alopecia, seborrheic dermatitis, cervical strain, degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, dysphagia, left ovarian cyst with dysmenorrhea, and uterine fibroid. The Board also remanded an issue regarding service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to a service-connected back disability.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for hypertension prior to April 26, 2023, and denied an increased rating in excess of 10 percent from that date. The effective date for the grant of service connection for hypertension was set at August 10, 2022, as per the PACT Act, and service connection for a neck disability was denied.

The Board granted service connection for cervicalgia and right knee degenerative joint disease, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The appeal for service connection for cervical kyphosis was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his request.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical neck condition, denied earlier effective dates for tension headaches and allergic rhinitis, and denied initial compensable ratings for tension headaches and allergic rhinitis. The claims for athlete's foot, shin splints, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and TDIU were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical neck condition, denied earlier effective dates for tension headaches and allergic rhinitis, and denied initial compensable ratings for tension headaches and allergic rhinitis. The claims for athlete's foot, shin splints, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and TDIU were remanded.

The Board granted service connection for a neck disability and a left shoulder disability, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began in service and have persisted.

The Board granted service connection for a cervical spine condition, left shoulder strain with impingement syndrome, and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including left elbow and lower extremity nerve conditions, as well as remanded several claims for further development.

The Board denied the claims for revision of the January 1996 rating decision based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE) except for the assignment of a singular rating for both knees, which was granted.

The Board granted service connection for cervical strain, left knee strain, a right hand and/or finger disability (including right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy), and irritable bowel syndrome. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and a left hand and/or fingers disability were remanded.