Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for left shoulder strain, right knee strain, and migraine including migraine variants. The claim for an initial disability rating of 30 percent for cervical strain with degenerative arthritis was also granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for thoracolumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as for special monthly compensation (SMC) and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran withdrew appeals for service connection of multiple conditions, resulting in the dismissal of all claims.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and lumbar spine due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error in the December 2021 opinions.

The Board granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and right knee disability, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor. The left knee disability claim was denied.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including the right and left hip, ankle, and flatfoot conditions due to insufficient evidence of current disability. The claims for shoulder strain, neck, back, and neurological conditions were remanded for further development.

The Board granted service connection for a left ankle disability, cervical spine disability, and migraine headache disability. The appeal regarding the lumbosacral strain was remanded.

The Board granted earlier effective dates and increased ratings for the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine with spinal fusion, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and coronary artery disease.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for various service-connected conditions, including lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, cervical spine disability, radiculopathy of both upper and lower extremities, bilateral foot hammer toe, migraine headaches, sinusitis, left shoulder bursitis, and PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches have prevented her from being able to secure and follow substantially gainful occupation, and she is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and special monthly compensation (SMC) at the statutory housebound rate.

The Board granted service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability and cervical strain based on the Veteran's in-service injuries.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a cervical spine disorder, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and bilateral degenerative arthritis of the knees to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board denied higher initial ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spine, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left ear hearing loss, and left eye disability. However, service connection was granted for a cervical spine disability.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, left hip disability, left knee disability, right hip disability, and cervical spine disability as secondary to a service-connected lumbar spine disability due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board granted service connection for scars resulting from surgery for malignant melanoma incurred during active duty service and remanded the other claims for further development.

The Board remands the veteran's claims for further development, including obtaining additional evidence and providing an examination.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for TBI, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, and cervical degenerative disc and joint disease (claimed as cervical strain) to correct an AOJ error in satisfying a regulatory or statutory duty.

The Board granted service connection for sinusitis on a presumptive basis due to presumed exposure to fine particulate matter during the Veteran's service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations.

The Board granted service connection for a cervical strain, thoracolumbar strain, acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD and major depressive disorder with anxious distress), and migraine headache disability.

The Board denied service connection for multiple disabilities and an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss, as the evidence did not support a finding of current disability or nexus to service.