Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for insomnia and remanded claims for further development.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a back disability and a neck disability due to an incomplete record, specifically the February 2024 VA examiner's medical opinion regarding the Veteran's neck condition.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine with cervical fusion to obtain an adequate medical opinion.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death while it was pending before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for ED, multiple joint rheumatoid arthritis, neck disability with cervical radiculopathy and degenerative arthritis, and back disability with bilateral lumbar radiculopathy and degenerative arthritis to obtain additional medical opinions that comply with previous remand directives.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for headaches and an increased rating for cervical strain residuals, as well as denied an earlier effective date for a 10 percent rating for TMJS.

The Board remands the claim for service connection of cervical spine disability due to a need for additional medical opinion.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as the evidence did not support higher evaluations or establish service connection.

The Board granted an effective date of August 18, 2021, for a 20 percent disability rating for the Veteran's cervical strain and degenerative arthritis.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, to include plantar fasciitis. The claims for neurobehavioral disorder and psychiatric disorder were remanded for further development.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for foot stress fractures, service connection for various arthritic conditions, and TDIU due to a duty to assist error.

The appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was dismissed as the benefit sought in full had been granted previously, making the case moot.

The Board granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and denied it for right ear hearing loss. The appeal challenging the deferred decision on entitlement to compensation for cervical strain was dismissed, and the claim for residuals of an in-service vasectomy was remanded.

The Veteran's service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was granted, while the claims for TBI, bilateral hearing loss, and other spine and extremity disabilities were denied or remanded.

The claims for service connection for cervical and lumbosacral strains were reopened based on new and relevant evidence, but are being remanded for further consideration by the AOJ.

The Board granted a 50 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, finding that the evidence demonstrated functional ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine. The issues related to additional service connection were remanded.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, obstructive sleep apnea, and cervical strain due to a failure by the AOJ to provide notice of the Veteran's right to a pre-decisional hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and TDIU is granted.

The Board remands the issues of service connection for multiple disabilities, including knee and back conditions, to obtain additional evidence.

The Board granted the restoration of the 20 percent disability rating for the Veteran's cervical strain effective September 20, 2023, as the reduction was not based on evidence of sustained material improvement under the ordinary conditions of life.