Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2025

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and hearing loss, as there was no current diagnosis of these conditions. The claims for service connection for various other conditions were remanded.

The Board granted readjudication of the claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder based on new and relevant evidence, while remanding other claims related to knee disabilities.

The Board granted disability ratings of 40 percent for right shoulder impingement syndrome, 30 percent for left shoulder impingement syndrome, rotator cuff tear, and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, 30 percent for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, 40 percent for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, and 30 percent for right knee patellar chondromalacia with degenerative arthritis, but not higher.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's neck condition, finding that it had its onset in service. The back condition claim was remanded for further development.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for cervical strain, bilateral hearing loss, right and left shoulder strains, tinnitus, and endometriosis was dismissed due to the untimely filing of the Board Appeal request.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disability, radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, as secondary to the lumbar spine disability, a cervical spine disability, and radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, as secondary to the cervical spine disability.

The Board remands the claim for increased rating for the Veteran's cervical spine degenerative changes due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for cervical strain, as the evidence did not support an increased rating.

The appeals for an increased rating for cervical spine disability and TDIU prior to August 20, 2013 in the Legacy review system are dismissed.

The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for cervical spine degenerative joint disease with intervertebral disc syndrome to address whether the use of injections and Lidoderm patches provided any relief, or otherwise discount any beneficial effects of the Veteran's use of medication.

The Board granted service connection for diverticulitis, cervical strain, and lumbosacral strain based on the Veteran's credible lay evidence of in-service onset and continuity of symptoms.

The Board remands the service connection claims for cervical strain, low back pain, right knee pain (bilateral), and left knee pain (bilateral) to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board granted service connection for neck disabilities, diagnosed as a cervical strain, degenerative arthritis, and degenerative disc disease other than IVDS.

The Board remands the claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for right shoulder strain, 10 percent for cervical spine degenerative disc disease (DDD) other than intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), and 20 percent for left radial and ulnar radicular pain and paresthesia to afford the Veteran new VA examinations.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including a neck disability, shoulder disabilities, hand disabilities, lower back disability, knee disabilities, psychiatric disorder, sinus headache, carpal tunnel syndrome, peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and tinnitus, to ensure that VA has satisfied its duty to assist with regard to verifying all periods of service and obtaining medical records associated with the Veteran's service.

The Board granted revisions of the October 2001 rating decision, which failed to explicitly adjudicate and award special monthly compensation (SMC) based on loss of use of the bilateral lower extremities as a result of resection of cervical spine cavernoma with neurogenic bladder, and SMC at the R1 level, on the basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE).

The Board denied service connection for a right foot disability, claimed as right foot pes planus, gout, neck disability, chest disability, and left knee disability.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for multiple musculoskeletal disabilities due to a lack of complete Reserve Service treatment records and inadequate medical opinions.

The Board remands the claim for a cervical spine condition to obtain a medical opinion regarding its relationship to an in-service fall.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and granted service connection for a cervical strain. The claims for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and low back disability were remanded.