Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2025

The appeal for several conditions, including insomnia, hypertension, and various disabilities, was dismissed due to procedural issues.

The veteran's appeal was denied as the Board Appeal request was not timely filed within one year of the rating decisions issued on August 17, 2022, November 16, 2022, July 7, 2023, November 3, 2023, December 12, 2023, and March 14, 2024.

The Board granted service connection for lumbar strain and thoracolumbar scoliosis, as well as cervical lordosis, cervical disc disease, and cervical degenerative arthritis, based on the evidence showing a relationship to the Veteran's active duty.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for cervical spine arthritis to obtain a new medical opinion on its etiology, specifically regarding whether it is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for a neck disability to allow for readjudication based on new and relevant evidence.

The Board granted an effective date of March 16, 2023, for ratings ranging from 10 to 50 percent for various service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the motions for revision of the July 2015 rating decision on the basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) to assign higher disability ratings for cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, right shoulder, and right elbow disabilities.

The appeal concerning entitlement to service connection for bilateral shoulder strain, bilateral shin splints, cervical strain, bilateral knee strain, and bilateral flat feet (pes planus) is dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical disc degeneration as secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral spondylosis with stenosis, based on a lack of competent evidence linking the two conditions.

The Board denied service connection for radicular pain paresthesia of the right and left lower extremities, an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for acquired psychiatric disorder, an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left ankle disability, a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine disability, and a compensable disability rating for the fifth finger of the right hand. The claims for service connection for cervical spine disability and migraines were remanded.

The veteran withdrew all pending appeals before the Board promulgated a decision.

The Board granted service connection for cervical strain due to an approximate balance of evidence, but remanded the claim for major depressive disorder for further development.

The Board granted an initial rating of 50 percent for chronic tension headaches but denied higher ratings for right and left upper extremity radiculopathy, remanded claims for cervical strain, fibromyalgia, SLE, and TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder arthritis, left shoulder tendinitis, right shoulder arthritis, right shoulder contusion, neck disability (cervical spine stenosis, degenerative changes, degenerative disc disease and spondylosis), right upper extremity tremors, and left upper extremity tremors as they were not etiologically related to service.

The Board denied increased ratings for cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, and GERD disabilities and remanded claims for service connection of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea, residuals of hernia repair, double vision, deviated septum, temporomandibular pain syndrome (TPS), and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a total disability based on individual unemployability, special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance, SMC based on housebound status, and service connection for vertigo.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical strain and right upper extremity radiculopathy, and remanded claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a right wrist sprain and service connection for a lumbosacral strain.

The Board denied service connection for lower back sprain, heart disease, cervical spine disorder, inguinal hernia, work stress (high anxiety), basal cell carcinoma of the nose, glaucoma, high blood pressure, digestive disorder, and hearing loss as there was no evidence of a current disability or an in-service event, injury, or illness related to these conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for initial increased ratings for thoracolumbar spine arthritis, cervical spine arthritis, bilateral lower extremity femoral radiculopathy, and a scar.

The Board denied restoration of the 20 percent ratings for cervical spine strain, thoracolumbar strain, and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to improvement in the disabilities under ordinary conditions of life and work.