Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2025

The Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus, cervical spine disability, but denied service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy, bilateral hearing loss, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), fibromyalgia, and gastrointestinal condition.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder, denied service connection for left ear and right ear hearing loss, and remanded claims for a neck condition and right upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Board granted service connection for limitation of left lateral flexion of the cervical spine as secondary to right neck surgical scar status post thyroidectomy and a maximum rating of 80 percent for the right neck surgical scar, effective January 18, 2023.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including hearing loss, spine and knee conditions, psychiatric disorders, and chronic headaches.

The Board denied service connection for migraine headaches and variants, finding no evidence of a direct link to service or aggravation by the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The claim for cervical spine degenerative arthritis was remanded for readjudication based on new evidence linking obesity as an intermediate step.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability (manifested as plantar fasciitis, hammertoes, and hallux valgus) is service-connected. Bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected.

The Board granted an increased, 20 percent disability rating for the Veteran's right ankle sprain/calcaneal spurs and service connection for cervical spine, major depressive disorder, left ankle, and lumbar spine disabilities as secondary to his right ankle condition.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, cervical spine disability, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as there has not been substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities due to errors in previous adjudications.

The Board remands the claim for a cervical spine condition to obtain an adequate medical opinion that addresses all pertinent evidence, including lay statements and in-service activities.

The appeal for service connection for a cervical spine disability was dismissed as there is no justiciable case or controversy.

The Board denied service connection for a deviated septum and cervical spine degenerative arthritis, granted service connection for a left knee disability as secondary to the Veteran's right knee disability, and denied a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis.

The appeal was dismissed as the Veteran's attorney withdrew the appeal and requested that the Board hearing be cancelled.

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, but granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for cervical strain due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board granted service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to hypertension, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. It also granted increased evaluations of 20 percent for cervical spondylosis and 50 percent for migraines.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection based on the current medical findings.

The Veteran's service connection for headaches was granted, while the claims for tinnitus and various musculoskeletal conditions were denied or remanded.

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including traumatic brain injury (TBI), pain of cervical and cervicothoracic regions, radicular pain and hypoesthesia of left upper extremity, pain and dysfunction of lumbar spine, right sciatic radicular pain, left sciatic radicular pain, right hip pain, left hip pain, right knee pain, left knee pain, post traumatic residual pain of right foot, and bilateral hearing loss.