Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2026

The Board has granted effective dates of November 6, 2020 for both the TDIU and DEA benefits. The Veteran had no service-connected disabilities prior to this date.

The Board has decided to remand the issue of service connection for a cervical spine disability due to an error in obtaining a medical opinion prior to the December 2024 rating decision. The AOJ must obtain an addendum opinion considering VA treatment records from October and January 2023.

The Board has dismissed all appeals related to the appellant's claims for service connection due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by his use of pain medication due to his service-connected cervical degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as directly related to service.,The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability and cervical spine disability are both granted as directly related to service.,Both conditions were found to be at least as likely as not caused by the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and radiculopathy of the right upper extremity was granted with an effective date of February 28, 2024.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for cervical strain and a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine prior to January 31, 2022 due to duty-to-assist errors in obtaining adequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar spine disability, left hip pain, cervical spine disability, and right hip pain due to issues with VA treatment records and examination opinions.,New evidence regarding compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a lumbar spine disability was found.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examiner's opinion regarding whether his service-connected disabilities result in loss of use and if so, whether he requires aid and attendance without considering such disability/ies. The Veteran also needs to be considered for SMC R1 based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, cervical spine disability, low back disability, left shoulder disability, and left leg disability. The decision is based on the Veteran's active duty service and his current disabilities are found to be related to these service events.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical strain, bilateral hip strain, left shoulder strain with acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis and tendinopathy, and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome as there is no evidence of a nexus to service.

The Board has granted service connection for PFB, left knee strain, and cervical neck muscular strain. The claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, finding that these conditions are related to his active military service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's freestanding claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of her right shoulder disability. The appeal is remanded to consider a rating in excess of 10 percent for cervical strain.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations and service connection have been denied. The appeal is remanded for further evaluation on the issues of service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical and lumbar spine disorders due to insufficient evidence in the original decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine strain, lumbosacral strain with associated sciatica, bilateral hip and knee disabilities, chronic ankle disabilities, foot problems, hypertension, migraine headaches, MDD, and PTSD due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to obtain examinations or opinions where the low threshold of McLendon was met.

The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbosacral strain, cervical neck strain, left knee with torn meniscus, and erectile dysfunction are denied.,The Veteran's claim for PTSD is remanded as there was a duty to assist error in failing to obtain an opinion regarding cannabis use disorder.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for increased ratings for hepatitis B and C with chronic fatigue, migraines, cervical strain with degenerative arthritis, and chronic cartilage fracture at junction of 10th and 11th right rib complex.

The Veteran's PTSD rating is restored to 50 percent, but his other orthopedic disabilities remain in dispute and require further review.,His cervical strain, DJD of the left knee, and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis are all rated below their maximum possible ratings due to lack of evidence showing they meet or approximate the criteria for higher ratings.