Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2025

The Board remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to inadequate examinations and missing records.

The veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The claims for service connection for cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities were remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for neck disability and service connection for left and right upper extremity radiculopathy.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for lumbosacral strain and cervical strain were denied. However, the veteran was granted an effective date of February 8, 2021, for service connection for various radiculopathy conditions.

The Board granted service connection for the veteran's neck disability, tinnitus, right and left upper extremity radiculopathy, and headaches. The decision was based on an approximate balance of evidence.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and pseudofolliculitis barbae were denied. The claim for restoration of the 20 percent rating for hemorrhoids was granted. Claims for cervical degenerative arthritis and left upper extremity radiculopathy were remanded.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for several conditions were denied, but they were granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The veteran's claim for service connection for a herniated disc in the cervical spine was denied. The claims for hypertension, back condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, and bilateral foot conditions were remanded for further evaluation.

The veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was dismissed. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted. Claims for right knee, low back, neck, left arm, and right arm disabilities were remanded.

The veteran's claim for service connection for tension headaches was granted. All other claims were denied or remanded.

The veteran was granted a 40% disability rating for their back condition effective November 20, 2019. The effective date for tinnitus service connection is November 22, 2019. Issues regarding cervical strain and GERD were remanded.

The Board remanded all issues to obtain adequate medical opinions and examinations.

The Board granted service connection for the veteran's neck disability, including cervical radiculopathy, finding it related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for chronic cervical strain, chronic lumbar strain, and chronic left and right shoulder sprains prior to November 30, 2022.

The veteran's claim for TDIU prior to November 19, 2018 was denied. However, the veteran was granted TDIU due solely to her service-connected cervical spine disability from November 19, 2018.

The Board remanded the claims for a higher rating due to inadequate VA examinations. A new examination is required to assess the veteran's conditions during flare-ups and repeated use.

The Board remanded all issues to correct errors in assisting the veteran, including obtaining missing records.

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions and increased ratings for several disabilities. However, the claim for tinnitus was remanded.

The veteran withdrew their appeal for all claimed conditions, so the Board dismissed the case.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and somatic symptom disorder. The claims for chest pain, trouble breathing, cervical strain, left hip strain, right hip strain, left elbow strain, right elbow strain, and right shoulder strain with rotator cuff tendonitis were remanded for further evaluation.