Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2025

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including allergic rhinitis, TMJ, cervical strain, and others, to correct a duty to assist error that occurred prior to the April 2024 rating decision on appeal.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left foot disability to correct duty to assist errors.

The Board remands the claims for increased evaluations of bilateral knee osteoarthritis and service connection for a cervical spine condition, to include as secondary to a lumbar condition, due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for reentrance into a VR&E program for additional education to prepare for suitable employment in healthcare or finance, as he was found not to have an employment handicap.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including sinusitis, rhinitis, chronic diarrhea, numbness of the left leg and arm, cervical spine disorder, GERD, ureterolithiasis, chest pains and heart palpitations, and lower back pain, as the VA examinations are inadequate.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, cervical spine condition, and peripheral neuropathy in both lower extremities, resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease other than IVDS and remanded the claims for left shoulder degenerative arthritis, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, a bilateral ankle disorder, and a bilateral finger disorder.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for cervical spine, left hip, and right hip disabilities to the AOJ for further development.

The Board granted service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to hypertensive heart disease and chronic prostatitis with enlarged prostate, but denied service connection for cervical spine, right hip, and left hip disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection for tinnitus was granted, while all other claims for service connection were denied.

The Board denied the claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for cervical spine disability, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spine and sciatic nerve disabilities, granted a 30 percent rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), and granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine.

The Board remands the matter for additional evidentiary development and readjudication due to an inadequate medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the regular need for aid and attendance is granted due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including a low back disability, neck disability, and related secondary conditions, due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for a cervical spine disability, as the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity and range of motion findings.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the cervical spine and a rating in excess of 10 percent for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity prior to June 3, 2022.

The appeal for service connection for a neck disability was dismissed as the benefit sought was granted in full by the VA Regional Office.

The Board denied service connection for neck disability as the evidence did not support a finding that it began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board granted a 40% rating for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, effective July 24, 2014, forward, and non-compensable ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the obturator and external cutaneous nerves from January 5, 2022. The Board also granted service connection for cervical spine disability secondary to lumbar spine strain, as well as left and right upper extremity radiculopathy as secondary conditions.