Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2025

The Board denied service connection for cervical degenerative disc disease and remanded claims for left sciatica radiculopathy, lumbar degenerative disc disease, and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board granted service connection for sinusitis, cervical strain, lumbosacral strain, right knee strain, and migraines as secondary to the service-connected cervical strain.

The Board granted service connection for cervical spine and right shoulder conditions, denied service connection for traumatic brain injury (TBI) and aortoiliac occlusive disease, and restored the 10 percent disability rating for right hip arthritis with limitation of flexion and adduction.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a neck disability, back disability, left and right shoulder disabilities, and right knee disability to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board denied entitlement to an evaluation more than 20 percent for a cervical strain with degenerative arthritis and remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, right heel spur, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy as secondary to an upper back disability and plantar fasciitis, and sleep disturbances.

The Board granted service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, and neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities. The claims for service connection for an eye condition, vertigo/dizziness, GERD/reflux, cervical strain, lumbosacral strain, right wrist degenerative joint disease, left wrist degenerative joint disease, right knee osteoarthritis, left knee degenerative joint disease, a right foot condition, a left foot condition, and a right achilles tendon/ankle condition were denied. The claims for service connection for hypertensive heart disease/high blood pressure, sinusitis, headaches, allergic rhinitis, and a skin condition were remanded.

The Veteran withdrew the appeal for increased evaluations of cervical fusion C1-T1 and ORIF C1-C2 with mild multilevel degenerative disc disease, and left lower extremity, common, superficial and deep peroneal nerves to include tibial and posterior tibial nerves (previously rated as sciatic nerve damage, left lower extremity (with atrophy of the calf)).

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, cervical radiculopathy of the left upper extremity as secondary to degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, bilateral spondylosis of the lumbar spine, and left and right shoulder trapezius muscle strain.

The Board granted service connection for cervical and lumbar conditions, chronic migraines, MDD, and readjudicated the claims for hives, lung scarring, elbow, and ankle conditions as secondary to Valley Fever.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following any substantially gainful employment prior to June 14, 2022.

The Board remands the claims for a higher initial rating for cervical spine disability, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy to ensure that all relevant evidence is obtained.

The Board granted service connection for a left ankle disorder and right ankle disorder, but denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to an initial rating higher than 20 percent for cervical spine disability prior to September 10, 2021, and entitlement to an initial 20 percent rating for lumbar spine disability due to inadequate VA opinions.

The Board remands the appeal for further development, including verification of periods of service and obtaining additional medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and cervical spine disability as there was no evidence showing that these conditions manifested during active service or to a compensable degree within one year of separation from active service, nor were they etiologically related to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability, radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, and radiculopathy of the left upper extremity were granted a rating of 30%, 40%, and 30% respectively, effective March 7, 2018.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease with spinal stenosis of the cervical spine, as the Veteran's disability was found to be manifested by flexion greater than 30 degrees and a combined range of motion greater than 170 degrees.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board denied service connection for a kidney transplant (claimed as kidney failure) due to the lack of evidence linking it to active duty, including toxic exposure risk activities.

The Board granted service connection for cervical spine disability, GERD with hiatal hernia, and sleep apnea while denying service connection for hypothyroidism, TMJ, stress headaches, and other conditions. The effective dates for the grants of service connection were not earlier than February 27, 2021.