Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2025

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and service connection, except for tinnitus which was granted.

The Board remands the matter for further development to obtain a more adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's neck disability.

The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee patellofemoral syndrome and denied a disability rating in excess of 20 percent or 30 percent for the cervical spine. However, it granted a separate 10 percent disability rating for left knee instability and a 20 percent disability rating for degenerative changes of the cervical spine prior to November 18, 2015.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for cervical spine disability from April 25, 2006, and a 40 percent rating for low back disability for the entire appeal period. The Veteran was also granted earlier effective dates of December 13, 2004, for service connection of radiculopathy in both upper and lower extremities.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities due to a lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings for cervical spine and low back disabilities to obtain additional medical opinions addressing functional loss during flareups and with repeated use over time.

The Board denied service connection for an anxiety condition with sleep disturbances and a compensable rating for a left hand scar, while remanding claims for increased ratings for left hand bennet's fracture, right elbow disability, and service connection for neck disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for readjudication of the claim of service connection for cervical spine degenerative arthritis.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, right upper extremity nerve disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and right hip disorder to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition is dismissed as the benefit sought was fully granted in a June 2024 rating decision.

The Board granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, diagnosed as DDD, IVDS, and spinal stenosis, finding that the Veteran's current neck disabilities are caused by his in-service accident.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for cervical stenosis, finding that there was no evidence of a causal relationship between the VA treatment or referral provided and the claimed disability.

The Board granted service connection for chest scars and headaches, but denied service connection for tinnitus, PTSD to include depression and anxiety condition, left shin splints, right shin splints, left shoulder strain, right shoulder disability, bilateral foot condition, right knee strain, left knee strain, lumbar strain, and cervical strain.

The Board granted service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, back, and neck disabilities, as well as obstructive sleep apnea secondary to service-connected conditions. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The claims for initial evaluations of various disabilities are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for multiple left and right upper extremity and cervical spine disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board remands the issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and increased ratings for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities due to further development needed.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disability and an initial compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae, as the evidence did not support the Veteran's claims.

The appeal for service connection for multiple conditions, including left elbow, right elbow, left wrist, right wrist, lumbar spine, cervical, right shoulder, and tinnitus was dismissed by the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's motion to revise the May 20, 2010, RO rating decision that granted service connection for cervical strain and assigned a noncompensable rating, finding no clear and unmistakable error.