Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2025

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD and dysthymia disorder was granted, while the increased rating claim was denied. TDIU due to service-connected disabilities was also granted.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings for certain conditions, but denied an increased rating for hemorrhoids.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for cervical strain with degenerative disc disease other than IVDS to obtain an addendum opinion addressing the Veteran's lay statements and VA treatment records.

The Board remands the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions to correct pre-decisional errors in its efforts to fulfill its duty to assist the appellant with the development of his claims.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left foot plantar fasciitis, right foot plantar fasciitis, right ankle strain, and cervical strain to correct a duty to assist error.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability and a thoracic spine disability as the evidence did not support a finding that these disabilities were related to the Veteran's active military service.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability, neck disability, right shoulder disability, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury. The claims for secondary service connection for bladder incontinence and cervical spine degenerative disc disease were remanded.

The veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for PTSD, left hip disability, and cervical strain.

The Board remands the claims for a cervical spine disability and radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities to obtain an addendum medical opinion regarding whether these conditions are caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder, bilateral shin splints, and bilateral knee disorders. The claims for the thoracolumbar spine disorder and psychiatric disorder were remanded.

The Board denied a disability rating higher than 10 percent for cervical strain and remanded claims for migraine headaches and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to service connection for right knee, back, right hip, right elbow, and neck disabilities due to duty-to-assist errors and the need for new medical examinations and nexus opinions.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for cervical cancer to correct a duty to assist error, specifically ensuring all relevant VA and private treatment records are obtained.

The Board denied service connection for a deviated septum/broken nose due to the lack of evidence showing a current disability and no nexus to service. The appeal was remanded for further development regarding ulnar nerve lesions and herniated disc cervical spine.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine condition and denied increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, right knee osteoarthritis with patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve. However, it restored the 20 percent disability rating for lumbosacral strain effective October 31, 2023.

The Board dismissed the appeals for earlier effective dates as there is no justiciable case or controversy with respect to these issues.

The Board denied service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder, left ankle disorder, and sleep disorder. The Veteran's cervical strain was rated at 10 percent, and the effective dates for the grants of service connection for right and left upper extremity radiculopathy were also denied.

The appeal for service connection for hemorrhoids, neck disability, and migraine headache condition has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including a neck disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, right hip disability, and left hip disability. The Board also denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for a right shoulder strain but granted an effective date of April 1, 2021, for a 20 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy.