Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2025

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the award of service connection for temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), both associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with bruxism, as well as a rating of 50 percent for migraine headaches from December 18, 2020. The claims for service connection for cervical strain, left shoulder, right shoulder, and dizziness were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, chronic kidney disease, cell bladder carcinoma, hypertension, and various musculoskeletal issues, as the evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active duty for training.

The veteran's claim for service connection for cervical intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative disc disease, degenerative arthritis, spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis status post arthrodesis was granted, and the veteran was awarded a TDIU effective January 11, 2022.

The Board granted service connection for periodic leg movements, obstructive airway defect, left hip disorder, right hip disorder, right shoulder disorder, cervical spine disorder, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and cephalalgia (migraines) based on presumptive or direct service connection. The claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep apnea, allergic rhinitis, irritable bowel syndrome, right wrist ganglion cyst, unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder with depressive disorder, and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome were denied.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for cervical strain and a 40 percent rating for right upper extremity radiculopathy, effective from February 18, 2019.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and denied increased ratings for various disabilities, including left upper extremity radiculopathy, right knee tendinopathy, left knee tendinopathy, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), generalized anxiety disorder, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder, degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder, and plantar fasciitis in both feet.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for cervical spine strain, lumbar spine strain, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy to obtain additional evidence regarding the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, but granted a 40 percent rating for right upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities from November 28, 1988, to September 22, 2011.

The Board granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, but remanded an increased rating claim for a right knee disability.

The veteran withdrew all remaining appeals for service connection for various recurrent disabilities claimed as the result of herbicide agent exposure.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and denied service connection for additional claimed conditions.

The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment as of September 15, 2022.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for lumbar strain, cervical strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for asthma, degenerative joint disease, right lower extremity radiculopathy, dermatitis, and hearing loss due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error in not obtaining all relevant service records.

The Board granted service connection for upper back condition (also claimed as a cervical and neck condition), mid back condition, headaches, and right ankle condition based on the evidence of record.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disability due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The claims for service connection for shin splints of the left and right legs, sinusitis, thoracic and lumbar spine strain, and cervical spine disability are remanded for further development.

The Board granted service connection for a chronic cervical spine disability and a chronic left shoulder disability, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine, neck, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathies, have resulted in a need for regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting special monthly compensation at the (l) rate.