Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not provide good cause for failing to attend a VA examination, which was necessary to determine the severity of his cervical spine, allergic rhinitis, left and right lateral epicondylitis, and right ankle sprain conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck disability and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy were granted effective February 10, 2023.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection for cervical strain due to untimely filing of a Notice of Disagreement. The claim of service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability and denied service connection for neck, left ankle, right ankle, left trochanteric pain syndrome, OSA, esophageal disability, left wrist, and right knee disabilities. The decision is based on the Veteran's competent and credible statements regarding symptom onset during service.

An effective date of July 1, 2020 is granted for Total Disability Rating based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).,An effective date of July 1, 2020 is also granted for basic eligibility for Chapter 35 Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) due to permanent and total service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy are not related to his active service.,The Board also found that the Veteran's lumbar strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left knee disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability were not related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for migraines and hysterectomy due to inadequate medical opinions in the original decision. A new VA examination is needed to address whether the Veteran's migraines are related to her service, and a new addendum opinion is needed to determine if her preexisting cyst was aggravated by active duty.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of August 12, 2011 for his entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA). The decision is based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since August 12, 2011.

The Veteran has withdrawn all pending appeals, including those related to service connection for various conditions and a rating for migraines and erectile dysfunction.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for cervical strain, insomnia, and lumbar spine degenerative joint disease and thoracic compression fracture as VA examinations were deemed necessary but the Veteran refused to attend them. The evidence of record was insufficient to grant the claims.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and radiculopathy of both upper extremities have been granted increased ratings, with the left upper extremity receiving a higher rating due to more severe symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine disability, finding no evidence that his current condition is related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and insufficient continuity of symptomatology to establish a current disability related to military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and need for additional examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a back disability, neck disability, diabetes mellitus type II, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and gout due to insufficient medical opinions on their etiology.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to a withdrawal by the appellant's authorized representative.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for higher evaluations of cervical stenosis with degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, and a posterior neck scar as the Veteran's representative requested to withdraw all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's increased spinal evaluations and additional radiculopathy diagnoses were only factually ascertainable after the date of his original claim, leading to an effective date of February 25, 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for left hip strain, right hip strain, cervical strain, and right shoulder strain. These conditions are found to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.