Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2025

The Board denied increased ratings for several service-connected conditions and granted service connection for a few others, including tinea pedis, bilateral dry eye syndrome, right shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, left knee disability (secondary), right knee disability (secondary), and right ankle disability (secondary).

The Board granted service connection for cervical spine multilevel spondylosis with mild canal narrowing at C3-4 through C5-6, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right shoulder strain and tendinitis, left shoulder tendinitis and tendinosis, as well as secondary radiculopathies in the upper and lower extremities.

The Board granted service connection for cervical degenerative arthritis with anterolisthesis based on the evidence showing a nexus between the current disability and an in-service injury.

The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood, GERD, contact dermatitis, left ankle gout, degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine, left knee meniscal tear and gout, left big toe gout, left elbow gout, status post cervical fusion, and sleep apnea, as they are related to active duty training (ACDUTRA).

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disorder, sinusitis, and a nerve disorder other than service-connected bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy. However, it granted an initial 20 percent rating for left great toe gout and a 50 percent rating for migraines.

The Board denied service connection for all the claimed conditions as there was no evidence of a current diagnosis or etiological relationship to active duty service.

The Board granted service connection for cervical strain with IVDS, left and right upper extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the now service-connected cervical strain, increased ratings for headaches, back disability, and sinusitis.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder but denied service connection for a disorder to the cervix.

The Veteran is entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for the period between July 6, 2010, and September 30, 2019.

The appeal for service connection for a disability manifested by difficulty breathing was dismissed as the issue has been fully granted.

The Board granted service connection for several conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome and cervical strain, and assigned a 30 percent rating for IBS. The claim was denied for right knee scars and other knee-related issues.

The Board granted service connection for cervical strain, radiculopathy of the right upper extremity as secondary to cervical strain, an initial 30 percent rating for sinusitis effective from November 26, 2019, and a 40 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine effective from November 26, 2018.

The Board remands the claims for further development due to incomplete evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the claimed disabilities.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as his appeal for an earlier effective date for Dependents' Education Assistance.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation as of June 26, 2009, warranting a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claim for VR&E benefits was denied because she did not have an employment handicap and was able to obtain suitable employment consistent with her abilities, aptitudes, and interests.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for COPD, right and left hand disabilities, and a cervical spine disability due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran's post-traumatic stress disorder with adjustment disorder and depressed mood is granted a rating of 50 percent, while his bilateral hearing loss is denied a compensable rating.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right and left hips, as well as degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and lumbar spine, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran's surviving spouse.

The Veteran has withdrawn the appeal for service connection claims related to a lumbar spine injury, fibromyalgia, a left shoulder injury, and a cervical spine injury with traumatic arthritis.