Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2026

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error, requiring a supplemental medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected right or left shoulder disabilities aggravate his cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's cervical spine, left shoulder, right shoulder, right knee, left foot, and right foot conditions are remanded for further evaluation. The Veteran's left toe fungus and right toe fungus were also remanded.

The Board has found that the AOJ committed clear and unmistakable error by not discussing a service treatment record from November 21, 2015 in their August 2023 decision. The Veteran's cervical strain is remanded for further development to obtain chiropractic records and an addendum medical opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for neck and back disabilities, finding that they are related to in-service aircraft accidents.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as their associated radiculopathy conditions, are remanded for further development. The fibromyalgia with headaches claim is also remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, bilateral upper and lower extremity radiculopathy, right hand arthritis, migraines, and GERD are all granted as service-connected.,Service connection is established for the Veteran's memory loss disability due to PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, and cervical disc disorders are granted. The Veteran's claims for bilateral hip disabilities (left and right) are remanded due to the failure to provide a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeals for skin disability, tinea pedis and onychomycosis of the bilateral foot, neck disability, low back disability, right knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disability have been dismissed. The Board has found that the Veteran withdrew his appeal as to these issues prior to a decision being made.

The appeal has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death while the appeal was pending.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities has been granted. The Board found that the Veteran requires assistance with eating, dressing, hygiene needs, medication management, housekeeping, meal preparation, and laundry.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to SMC based on the need for aid and attendance for the Veteran's spouse due to conflicting information in the June 2025 examination. A VA examination is needed to determine if the spouse requires regular aid and attendance.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for rhinitis, dizziness, leg muscle pain, asthma, cervical strain as secondary to a low back condition, and left shoulder due to the appellant's withdrawal of these appeals.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the Veteran did not appeal the decision regarding entitlement to service connection for a lower back disability, and the matter is still pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine disability, as it is unclear whether his condition is due to his service-connected Bell's palsy and/or right eyelid scar. The VA must obtain an addendum opinion addressing these issues.

The Board has determined that no new and relevant evidence was received since the April 2024 rating decision to reconsider the Veteran's claims for service connection for upper front teeth residuals from breakage, cervical strain, and lumbosacral strain. As a result, these claims are denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for low back, cervical spine, and left shoulder disabilities have been granted. The Veteran also received increased ratings for his right hip impairment, limitation of flexion, and extension, as well as for the limitations in his left hips.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's cervical spine disability is aggravated by his service-connected thoracolumbar disability.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been granted, and the issues of service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Migraines, and Bilateral Hearing Loss have been remanded. The issue of service connection for Cervical Strain is not currently before the Board.

The Board denied the Appellant's request for attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in July 2024, as the May 2024 VA Form 21-526EZ submitted by the Appellant constituted an initial claim and not a supplemental one. The July 2024 Rating Decision was the initial decision on these issues.