Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2025

The appeal for service connection of cervical dystonia was dismissed because the veteran passed away during the pendency of the appeal. The dismissal does not affect the right of an eligible person to take the Veteran's place to continue the appeal on the pending claims.

The Board denied service connection for asthma, cervical strain with spinal fusion surgery, and psychiatric disorders including PTSD. The evidence did not support a current diagnosis or nexus to service.

The Board denied service connection for both an ear disability and a neck disability because there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or symptoms related to these conditions.

The veteran's request for an increased rating for left shoulder bursitis and post cervical spine fusion with degenerative changes was denied. The veteran was granted a 40 percent rating for left upper extremity radiculopathy but denied an increased rating for PTSD.

The veteran's claims for service connection for cervical radiculitis and headaches associated with photophobia were granted. The claims for right wrist condition, left wrist condition, and sleep apnea were remanded.

The veteran is granted an effective date of October 30, 2022 for service connection for cervical spine disabilities and July 11, 2022 for a 20 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection of cervical, lumbar, and thoracic spine conditions due to errors in the duty to assist.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed conditions but remanded the issues of disability ratings for chronic adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood.

The veteran was granted a 40% rating for right upper extremity radiculopathy and a 30% rating for left upper extremity radiculopathy prior to October 28, 2022. The request for a higher rating for intervertebral disc syndrome of the cervical spine with spinal fusion was denied.

The Board remanded all issues to correct a duty to assist error. The Veteran will receive VA examinations for his claimed conditions.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disability and dyspareunia was granted, but the claim for a compensable rating for FSAD was denied.

The Board denied service connection for multiple disabilities but remanded the claims for psychiatric disability and sleep disturbances.

The VA dismissed the claim for service connection of psychosis or mental illness (claimed as sleep disturbances) for treatment eligibility. The claims for asthma and bronchitis were denied, while the claims for psychiatric disability, back disability, and neck disability were remanded for further evaluation.

The appeal regarding the severance of service connection for a cervical spine disability was dismissed because it involved an impermissible concurrent election.

The VA affirmed the reduction of the veteran's cervical spine disability rating to 10% but remanded the decision on service connection for a right foot disability.

The Board remanded the claim for an initial rating greater than 30 percent for cervical strain with degenerative arthritis due to insufficient objective evidence regarding neurological abnormalities.

The veteran's service connection for several conditions, including left and right knee disabilities, left ankle disability, left foot disability, posttraumatic headaches, TBI, and dental issues, was granted. However, service connection for bilateral hearing loss and higher ratings for other conditions were denied.

The veteran's PTSD with TBI was rated at 100% from August 1, 2022 to March 19, 2023. The veteran also qualifies for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound criteria.

The veteran's service connection for headache disability is granted. An earlier effective date of September 28, 2021, for a 20 percent rating for lumbar spine IVDS is also granted. All other issues are denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for several conditions were denied. However, the veteran was granted an initial 10 percent rating for Bell's palsy and an initial 50 percent rating for migraine headaches and sleep apnea. Several other issues were remanded for further review.