Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2025

The Board granted an effective date of December 19, 2016, for the awards of service connection for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine, cervicalgia, and chronic migraines and headaches.

The Board denied service connection for a dental disability, neck disability, respiratory disorder, and penile disorder as the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of a compensable condition.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, mood disorder, and anxiety but granted service connection for the Veteran's right and left ankle disabilities and pes planus. The Board also granted initial 20 percent disability ratings for the Veteran's sciatica nerve conditions in the right and left lower extremities.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD and denied a higher rating for tinnitus. The claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal disabilities were remanded.

The Board granted service connection for cervical spine arthritis, lumbar spine arthritis, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board granted service connection for a cervical strain based on the evidence being in approximate balance as to whether it is related to an in-service injury.

The Board remands the claims for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for cervical spondylosis with cord compression, left and right upper extremity radiculopathy, right ankle injury, and hemorrhoids due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for hypertension and remanded the claims for service connection for migraines and a neck disability.

The Board denied an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and remanded issues related to cervical spine degenerative arthritis and left upper extremity radiculopathy.

The claims for increased ratings for the Veteran's cervical spine disability and right upper extremity radiculopathy are remanded, while the claim for left upper extremity radiculopathy is also remanded due to a Joint Motion for Partial Remand.

The Board granted service connection for migraine headaches, a cervical spine disability, a right knee disability, a left knee disability, a right ankle disability, and a right hand disability based on the Veteran's lay statements and positive private medical opinions.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a right wrist disability, neck disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, right ankle disability, and bilateral hearing loss for further development.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, renal failure, and cervical cancer, as well as special monthly compensation for aid and attendance. The Board granted a disability rating of 20 percent, but no higher, prior to August 7, 2022, for chronic urinary tract infections.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for cervical strain and thoracic strain with scoliosis to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board granted service connection for right and left hip arthritis with tendonitis, but remanded the claims for sleep apnea, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, bladder disability, upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, knee disabilities, eye disability, ankle disability, GERD, GI disability, and psychiatric disability.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for various conditions as they were duplicative of other appeals.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease and a neck disability for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions.

The Board granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease with spinal fusion, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for thoracic strain, cervical strain, left ankle sprain with instability, and hemorrhoids.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and hypertension, as there was no evidence to support a higher rating.