Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2025

The Board denied a disability rating greater than 30 percent for the service-connected cervical strain as it did not more nearly approximate unfavorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine, or incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board granted earlier effective dates of February 1, 2021, for the awards of service connection and secondary service connection for various disabilities.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for adjudication.

The Board granted an effective date of September 22, 2008, for the award of service connection for cervical strain with degenerative disc disease and right middle radicular group neurological impairment.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and cervical spine, effective February 14, 2020. The decision also granted service connection for right and left lower extremity sciatic and femoral radiculopathy, as well as TDIU.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, left upper extremity nerve condition (secondary to degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome, neck condition), headaches, left knee strain, and tinnitus. The claims for obstructive sleep apnea, urinary frequency, and voiding dysfunction were remanded.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death during its pendency.

The Board granted a 10 percent disability rating for service-connected hypertension and denied service connection for sleep apnea, while remanding several other claims including those for various disabilities related to the Veteran's low back, cervical spine, knees, gastrointestinal system, heart, fibromyalgia, PTSD, and hearing loss.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability and special monthly compensation from May 5, 2019.

The claims for service connection are remanded to correct a duty to assist error that occurred prior to the July 2020 rating decision on appeal.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for cervical spine, left foot, and right foot disabilities to correct a pre-decisional error in VA's duty to notify.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent, 20 percent, and 30 percent for a cervical spine disability due to the need for additional development.

The Board remands the claims for a jaw disability and neck disability to obtain additional medical opinions addressing aggravation.

The Board remands the claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for cervical spine disease to obtain a more accurate assessment of the Veteran's disability without considering the beneficial effects of medication.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and tinnitus, but remanded claims for service connection for sinusitis, a cervical spine disorder, sleep apnea, and right ear hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for cervical cancer as there was no diagnosis of the condition during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.

The Board granted service connection for left and right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, an increased rating of 30 percent for cervical strain, and increased ratings of 20 to 30 percent for various tendinopathies and migraine headaches.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of June 5, 2022, for the award of a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD and granted special monthly compensation at the statutory housebound rate from that same date.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for a TBI, cervical spine degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome, and right wrist arthritis/wrist sprain, chronic as secondary to instability, left knee due to concurrent elections under the modernized review system.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and an initial rating of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine (neck). The remaining claims were remanded for further development.