Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2025

The Board denied service connection for several conditions but remanded others for further review.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an effective date earlier than June 1, 2020, for service connection of cervical strain with degenerative arthritis.

The veteran was granted a 60% rating for radiculopathy of the right upper extremity but denied higher ratings for lumbar spine disability, cervical spine scar, and right-hand scar. The issue of a higher rating for cervical spine intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) was remanded.

The Board remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, right ankle disorder, cervical neck disorder, and head scar. The Veteran will be scheduled for examinations to determine if these conditions are related to his service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for chronic sinusitis was denied. The veteran was granted an initial 10 percent disability rating for hypertension. Other claims were either denied or remanded.

All appeals were dismissed because the veteran did not file timely notices of disagreement.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's left shoulder and right elbow conditions, as well as initial compensable ratings for migraine headaches, non-allergic rhinitis, and sinusitis. The claim for cervical strain was remanded.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and bilateral upper extremity cervical radiculopathy. The Board acknowledged that the medical nexus opinion was inadequate due to overlooked service treatment records.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a dental condition and compensable ratings for residuals of a laceration and crush injury of the left little finger, and scar were denied. The claims for service connection for cervical strain and for a dental disability for treatment purposes were remanded.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were mixed. Some conditions, such as left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain and left shoulder strain, were granted service connection. Others, like allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, were denied.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for left knee disability and cervical strain disability was dismissed because the veteran withdrew the appeal.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection for various conditions due to a failure to obtain all relevant medical records.

The Board restored the veteran's rating for intervertebral disc syndrome and lumbosacral strain to 40% effective May 24, 2021. Other issues related to service connection were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for several conditions, including hypertension and breast cancer residuals. However, it remanded the claims for uterine leiomyomata (fibroids) and related issues.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability because there is no evidence of a current disability or functional impairment.

Service connection for Lyme disease and several other disabilities was denied. Service connection for sleep apnea was remanded for further evaluation.

The veteran's service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, and migraines was granted. The claim for posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, and intermittent explosive disorder was remanded.

The veteran's claim for service connection for testosterone deficiency was granted. The veteran was assigned a 30% disability rating for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, but the request for an earlier effective date and higher ratings for other conditions were denied.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for migraine headaches was denied. The veteran was granted a higher rating for migraine headaches but denied higher ratings for rhinitis and other conditions. Some issues were remanded for further review.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection of cervical spine and right shoulder disabilities, secondary to service-connected right eye disabilities. The Board found that adequate medical opinions were not provided.