Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied. The appeals are either not granted or the maximum rating has already been assigned.

The Veteran's appeals for initial compensable ratings for PFB and a rating in excess of 10 percent for cervical spine disability prior to specific dates are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has found that new and relevant evidence has been received for the Veteran's claims of lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, RLE sciatica, LLE sciatica, right wrist disability, left wrist disability, hypothyroidism, alopecia, and solar urticaria. These claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and opinion regarding their etiology.

The Board has determined that the initial ratings assigned for psoriatic arthritis of the upper and lower extremities, as well as service connection for a cervical spine disorder, need to be remanded due to incomplete evidence. The Veteran's periods of active duty for training (ADT) and inactive duty for training (IDT) must be confirmed, and all relevant medical records should be obtained.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition had its onset in service and has continued since then, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck condition (cervical sprain) and remanded the issue of assigning a compensable disability rating for hyperpigmentation of the face due to acne lesions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for TMD, cervical spine disability, and FSAD have been denied.,An earlier effective date prior to August 2, 2022, for the award of service connection for these conditions has also been denied.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and cervical strain with spondylosis have been granted service connection as they are found to be related to his active duty service.,Tinnitus has also been granted service connection, attributed to in-service exposure to hazardous noise.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for higher disability ratings in excess of 20 percent for cervical spine and lumbar spine conditions, left knee condition, right knee condition, and sinusitis. The Veteran was granted service connection for chronic laryngeal papillomatosis.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a psychiatric disability was withdrawn. Service connection for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis pursuant to the PACT Act is granted. The claims for lumbar spine, cervical spine, heart, and GERD disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and cervical disc herniation are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.,Pending resolution of these issues, the Veteran's claims for right upper extremity radiculopathy and left upper extremity radiculopathy will also be remanded.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection for bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy prior to March 18, 2021 is being remanded due to the need to consider the effects of medication used by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and cervical strain due to a duty to assist error. The AOJ failed to obtain VA medical opinions addressing the etiology of these disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disorder and an incomplete record of chiropractic care. The Veteran is requested to provide or authorize VA to obtain his treatment records from chiropractors, and an addendum opinion will be provided by a VA examiner.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for an earlier effective date for TDIU and DEA benefits, finding that no formal or informal claim was received prior to May 22, 2015. The Veteran is in receipt of a TDIU effective from May 22, 2015.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of a cervical spine disability due to withdrawal by the Veteran's attorney. The Board remanded the claim for service connection of erectile dysfunction secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches, as secondary to tinnitus, is granted. The claims for service connection for hearing loss disability and a disability manifested by shortness of breath other than chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis are denied. The claims for service connection for an intestinal disability (diverticulitis), fatigue, hypertension, neck disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, upper and lower back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right hip disability, left hip disability, right foot pain, left foot pain, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and an acquired psychiatric disorder are all denied.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for the service connection of multiple conditions, including low back disability, bilateral foot disability, cervical spine disability, migraines, right hand and shoulder disabilities, right wrist disability, asthma (claimed as Gulf War Syndrome), chronic fatigue syndrome, dysmenorrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, and sleep disability. As a result, these claims are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of his cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, left shoulder, right shoulder, upper extremity neurological, and lower extremity neurological disabilities due to inadequate VA medical examinations in March 2019 and January-May 2016. The new examinations must consider the Veteran's reported onset dates for his symptoms.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis and pes planus was granted, but the Board found that his disability more closely approximated a 30 percent rating. The issue of service connection for neck disability secondary to spine disability is remanded.