Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and cervical spine degenerative disc disease are remanded due to inadequate pre-decisional duty to assist errors.,The Veteran's secondary service connection claim for bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy is also remanded as the AOJ failed to identify and develop a potential intermediate step of obesity as an intermediate factor in causing his OSA. The toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) associated with the Veteran's service locations prior to August 10, 2022, is also remanded.,The Veteran's claim for TERA related to burn pit exposure is remanded due to inadequate pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of service connection for a cervical spine condition should be remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has denied service connection for hearing loss and remanded the issues of right ankle injury pain, laceration left side of head, cervical spine injury, and lumbar spine injury due to a lack of current disability evidence and duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities, which render him unemployable.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine (neck) condition and a low back condition due to inadequate opinions from VA examiners. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, but his claim was previously denied.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain claim is denied as the evidence does not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 30 degrees or less, which would warrant a higher rating.,Right shoulder degenerative arthritis and cervical strain claims are remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claims for cervical spine, left shoulder, and low back disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions that consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding symptom onset and continuity.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is being remanded for further evaluation due to insufficient opinions regarding its relationship to his service-connected disabilities and obesity.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, along with other disabilities, has rendered them unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted the TDIU rating based on this condition.

The Veteran's right and left shoulder disabilities have been granted as cervical radiculopathy of the upper extremities.,A 50 percent rating has been granted for her tension headaches.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including peripheral neuropathy and neck disability, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since May 3, 2018.

The Veteran's cervical carcinoma in situ with ovarian cysts, and chronic migraine-type headaches are being remanded for further examination and opinion as the current evidence is insufficient to establish a causal relationship between these conditions and her military service.

The Board denied service connection for insomnia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hiatal hernia, and Barrett's esophagus as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,Service connection was also denied for cervical spine condition due to lack of evidence linking the condition to military service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings was granted, including a 10% rating for coccyx disability and separate ratings for left and right upper extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity tibial radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for SMC at the A&A rate was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not result in a need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for acid reflux, as well as the claims for sleep apnea, cervical spine disability, right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities, and right and left knee disabilities.,For the remaining issues, the Board found that there is no evidence showing a current disability related to any in-service injury or disease. The appellant's service treatment records are entirely negative for complaints or findings of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to insufficient evidence of a current disability in some cases and the need for further medical evaluation in others.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, finding that the Veteran's current condition is a current manifestation of neck pain he experienced during service.

The Board has determined that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error and remanded the cases for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of all relevant evidence.