Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2025

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the award of service connection and higher ratings for various disabilities, including a neck scar, cervical spine disability, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance.

The Board remands the claim for a medical opinion that complies with its previous remand instructions, specifically addressing the Veteran's reports of in-service symptoms and the underlying medical principles specific to his case.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's cervical spine and right and left upper extremity disabilities, finding that the current ratings accurately reflect the severity of his disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for non-allergic rhinitis on a direct basis prior to August 10, 2022, and for ED as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer. A 30 percent rating was also granted for the cervical spine disability.

The Board remands the claims for intervertebral disc disease of the lumbar spine and degenerative disease of the cervical spine to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as there was no evidence of increased disability or new and material evidence to support earlier effective dates.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, and G6PD deficiency. The initial rating for the right thumb disability was also denied.

The Board granted effective dates of April 29, 2022, for the grant of a 70 percent rating for PTSD and a 30 percent rating for cervical spine disability but denied initial compensable ratings for various scars and other conditions.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied initial disability ratings in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, chronic headaches, vertigo, and folliculitis. The Board granted an initial disability rating of 30 percent for vertigo.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, right hip strain as secondary to the lumbosacral strain, and cervical strain.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities to obtain VA examinations and opinions.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disability and headaches, finding no evidence of a current disability or nexus to service.

The Veteran's service-connected post-traumatic headaches are granted an increased rating of 50 percent, the schedular maximum. The other conditions were denied higher ratings.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hand tremors and denied increased ratings for pain of the cervical thoracic region, post traumatic residual pain of the left shoulder, allergic rhinitis, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an increased rating for status post bunionectomy and hallux rigidus of the left great toe, and remanded several other claims related to various conditions.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and cervical spine, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's combat service in the Persian Gulf.

The Board denied service connection for a neck and left shoulder disability but granted restoration of the rating for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board granted an effective date of July 9, 2018, for the grant of service connection for a cervical spine condition based on presumptive service connection due to the diagnosis within one year of discharge.

The appeal seeking review of a proposed reduction in the evaluation of cervical strain from 30 percent to 10 percent was dismissed. Service connection for GERD was denied, and an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for sinusitis associated with TERA was granted.

The Board granted earlier effective dates of September 1, 2022, for the grant of service connection for acne, cervical strain, lumbosacral strain, dry eye syndrome, GERD, and bilateral knee patella alta.