Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2025

The Board dismissed all appeals related to service connection for various conditions and an effective date prior to March 13, 2024, for the award of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board denied or dismissed the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates, higher ratings, and service connection for various conditions, with some grants of earlier effective dates and initial ratings.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for cervical spine spondylosis, lumbosacral degenerative disc disease, left knee/leg disability, and right knee/leg disability to obtain a VA examination.

The Board granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, acne keloidalis nuchae with painful scarring, left knee disability, and left and right shin splints.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has remanded the case for the purpose of providing the Veteran with notice concerning his right to a hearing as provided by 38 C.F.R. § 3.103(b)(1) and (d)(1).

The Board denied service connection for left cervical radiculopathy, bilateral hearing loss, and a compensable rating for Hashimoto thyroiditis. The Veteran's asthma, non-allergic rhinitis, and right shoulder scars were rated as initially granted or denied based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as well as remanded several other claims for further development.

The Board remands the claims for further development and to ensure proper due process, including adequate requests for service and medical records, and adequate medical examinations based upon an accurate record.

The Board remands the claims for additional development, specifically to obtain addendum medical opinions assessing the severity of the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine and right knee in terms of functional loss with weight bearing and passive motion.

The Board granted a disability rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's cervical spine disability since July 1, 2021.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance/housebound status due to a lack of evidence showing that her service-connected disabilities rendered her in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound.

The Board granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, other than posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), variously diagnosed as major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, adjustment disorder, and panic disorder.

The Board granted an initial 20 percent rating for cervical strain, denied a compensable rating for bronchitis, and denied service connection for asthma.

The Board dismissed all issues as a matter of law due to a procedural defect in the Veteran's February 2023 VA Form 10182s, which attempted to concurrently elect multiple review options.

The Board granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding it to be related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The appeal to readjudicate the claim of service connection for cervical spine degenerative arthritis was denied due to a lack of new and relevant evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, cervical strain, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy as there was no evidence of a current diagnosis or functional impairment.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a cervical spine condition and acquired psychiatric disabilities, to include GAD claimed as PTSD-anxiety, due to deficiencies in the VA examinations.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, but denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic sinusitis, bilateral hand tremors, and bilateral restless leg syndrome. The Board also granted an increased rating of 50 percent for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and higher ratings, except for restoring a 30 percent disability rating for right knee strain and a 20 percent disability rating for left knee strain.