Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2025

The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, cervical strain (neck pain), left triceps tendinitis, right triceps tendinitis, and headaches as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran was granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance from July 28, 2023, through September 21, 2024.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including a back disability, neck disability, right pelvic disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability.

The Board granted service connection for cervicalgia, spondylosis deformans, and degenerative disc disease, resolving all reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disability and a right elbow disability, to include cubital tunnel syndrome and cervical radiculopathy. The appellant was also denied special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status, as well as certificates of eligibility for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and automobile adaptive equipment, specially adapted housing (SAH), and a special home adaptation (SHA) grant.

The Board denied service connection for various orthopedic conditions and hypertension, as well as an initial compensable rating for a left 5th metacarpal fracture, finding no medical evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's cervical spine degenerative joint and disc disease, upper thoracic spine myofascial strain, and left elbow strain and triceps enthesophyte disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for hemorrhoids. However, the Veteran was granted a 50% rating prior to June 12, 2024, and a 100% rating from that date forward for his acquired psychiatric disability.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for all service connection and rating claims, resulting in the dismissal of each claim.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for all issues listed, and the Board has no jurisdiction to review the appeal.

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

The Board granted service connection for cervical strain, migraine headaches as secondary to cervical strain, and right shoulder strain. The claims for sinusitis and a compensable rating for IBS were remanded.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD with unspecified anxiety disorder and alcohol use disorder, but denied service connection for neck disability, back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, sinusitis, and IBS.

The Board granted service connection for a cervical strain and left foot plantar fasciitis, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Board remands all claims for service connection due to the Veteran's failure to attend scheduled VA examinations, necessitating medical opinions.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for headaches, depression, cervical cancer, a right knee condition, and a left knee condition due to missing service treatment records and personnel files.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability, CFS, muscle pain, and neurological disabilities as there was no evidence of current diagnoses at the time of filing or during the pendency of the claims.

The Board remands the claim for a neck disability to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding its etiology.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, right shoulder, and right wrist due to a need for additional development.

The claims for increased ratings and secondary service connection are being remanded to correct a duty-to-assist error.