Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2025

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's right thigh impairment beginning August 8, 2023, but denied service connection for cervical strain, obstructive sleep apnea due to obesity, and other conditions.

The Board remands the claims for further development and adjudication by the AOJ.

The Board granted service connection for a neck disability, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease (DDD) other than intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) and retrolisthesis with radiculopathy (left upper extremity), finding that the evidence is in approximate balance regarding whether the Veteran's condition had its onset in service.

The Board granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative arthritis, right shoulder acromioclavicular and glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis, left shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, and right knee joint osteoarthritis, as well as a separate 20% rating for erectile dysfunction. The Board denied an increased disability rating higher than 20 percent for diabetes mellitus type II but granted service connection for bilateral primary open-angle glaucoma secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes.

The Board granted service connection for cervical degenerative arthritis and right and left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy for accrued benefits purposes, finding that the Veteran's neck manifestations began during and have continued since service and were at least as likely as not caused by service.

The Board granted service connection for diabetic peripheral neuropathy as it is etiologically linked to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes. Other claims were remanded for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings, as well as remanded one issue.

The claims for service connection for cervical spine disability and various other conditions were dismissed due to untimely appeals.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a back and neck disability to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including verifying the Veteran's periods of service and obtaining adequate VA examinations.

The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine cervicalgia, as the evidence did not show forward flexion of the cervical spine 15 degrees or less; or, favorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine.

The Board granted an initial disability rating of 70 percent, but no higher, for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) based on the severity and frequency of symptoms that more closely approximated occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities, including cervical spine degenerative arthritis, right thumb disability, left wrist scars, and right thumb scar.

The Board granted increased ratings for sleep apnea, lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and facet disease, and cervical sprain with degenerative disc disease.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis due to the lack of a current disability, while remanding claims for obstructive sleep apnea and neck pain for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease other than IVDS and status post ACDF (claimed as cervical injury with surgery) due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The Board denied service connection for rhinitis and a neck disability, but remanded claims for sleep apnea and sciatica due to insufficient evidence.

The Board granted service connection for a neck disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to an in-service injury.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder and neck disabilities, but granted service connection for tinnitus.

The Board granted service connection for a left hip disability, GERD, and dermatitis. The claims for a bowel disability and obstructive sleep apnea were denied. The remaining issues are remanded.

The Board remands the claims for a cervical spine condition and bilateral knee condition for further development, as the post-remand medical opinions are inadequate.