Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2025

The Board denied service connection for hypertension as it was not present during service, was not manifested to a compensable degree within one year of separation from active service and is not otherwise related to service. The claims for service connection for a cervical strain and coccyx bone fracture are remanded.

The Board remands the claim for a cervical spine disability to obtain an addendum medical opinion addressing the Veteran's in-service treatment for pack palsy with residual weakness.

The Veteran withdrew the appeal for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and bilateral cataracts of the eyes.

The appeal was withdrawn by the Veteran before the Board promulgated a decision.

The Board denied an increased rating for allergic rhinitis and remanded the claims for cervical spine, hip, thigh, and hip extension disorders for further development.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death, as an appellant's claim does not survive their death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and other benefits, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings or additional compensation.

The Board denied the claims for an increased rating for the left shoulder disorder, service connection for a cervical spine disorder, service connection for a right arm disorder, and service connection for a left arm disorder.

The appeal was denied for service connection of a cervical spine disorder, and several claims were remanded for further development.

The Board granted service connection for cervical strain and denied service connection for rhinitis.

The appeal was granted as the February 2021 Decision Review Request: Higher-Level Review, VA Form 20-996, was timely filed within one year of the January 2021 Agency of Original Jurisdiction determination.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions and a TDIU, as the evidence did not support a finding that any of these disabilities were related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding that the evidence did not support an increase in disability or a link to service.

The Board granted service connection for a heart disability, to include atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and coronary artery disease as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The claim for cervical degenerative arthritis was denied.

The Veteran was awarded service connection for allergic rhinitis based on the PACT Act, but an earlier effective date prior to August 10, 2022, is not warranted.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability and a neck disability, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these disabilities were incurred in active service.

The Board denied service connection for low back disability, cervical spine disability, and right leg nerve disability as the evidence did not support a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection for cervical strain, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy. The claim for an earlier effective date for a left shoulder disability was dismissed.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a left hip condition, right hip condition, cervical strain, and back condition due to an incomplete duty to assist error in failing to afford the Veteran VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, as the evidence did not show that his service-connected disabilities alone were of such nature and severity to preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.