Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2026

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar strain to include thoracolumbar and lumbosacral strain, cervical spine condition, spondylosis, degenerative disk disease, and radiculopathy (spine disabilities). The Board found that these conditions are related to the Veteran's injury during his active duty.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his acquired psychiatric disability, radiculopathy of the right upper extremity (RUE), radiculopathy of the left upper extremity (LUE), or neck disability prior to June 2, 2022. The earlier effective date claim was also denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for a compensable rating for heart disability and hypertension due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The claims of service connection for low back and neck disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran meets the schedular requirement for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, and his service-connected conditions rendered him unable to follow a substantially gainful occupation. The effective date is from February 10, 2019, to May 6, 2020.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to outstanding medical records for his service-connected conditions and new claims.

The Veteran's appeal of the issue of entitlement to service connection for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, left foot eczema (claimed as left foot condition), and right foot eczema (claimed as right foot condition) has been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal of the issue of entitlement to an initial rating of 10 percent, but no higher, for allergic rhinitis has been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine disability and lumbar spine disability, finding that the Veteran's conditions had their onset in service and are related to her military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, cervical and lumbar spine conditions, and vertigo, require regular aid and attendance from his wife due to limitations in mobility and cognitive function. The Board has determined that the criteria for SMC based on need for aid and attendance have been met.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for chronic diarrhea has been dismissed as the decision was not final and appealable.,The appeals for higher ratings for lumbosacral strain, cervical strain, right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, and tinnitus have all been dismissed due to untimely filing of the Notice of Disagreement (NOD).,Service connection for right ear hearing loss has not been established as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA's definition of hearing loss.

New and relevant evidence has been received regarding the previously denied matters of service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder, knee, ankle, hip, lower back, upper back, neck, and pes planus. The claims are being readjudicated.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left knee, right knee, cervical spine, and left ankle degenerative joint diseases have been granted.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection in all five issues, resulting in the dismissal of these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine syndrome was not directly related to service and is denying service connection on this basis. The issue of secondary service connection for cervical spine syndrome due to a service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disorder is being remanded as the VA examination did not address both causation and aggravation.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Service connection is denied for depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), neck disability, left upper extremity nerve condition, right upper extremity nerve condition, restless leg syndrome, left knee disability, anxiety, insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, left wrist disability, right wrist disability, intestinal disability, hemorrhoids, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, and bilateral foot disability.,Service connection is denied for neck disability. Service connection is remanded for entitlement to service connection for anxiety, insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, left wrist disability, right wrist disability, intestinal disability, hemorrhoids, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, and bilateral foot disability.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings was continuously pursued, and the appellant is eligible to charge agent fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the June 2024 rating decision.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a lumbar spine disability, a cervical spine disability, and a left knee disability due to the Veteran's failure to report for VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, cervical spine disability, gastric/duodenal ulcer, degenerative arthritis of the spine, and dislocated semilunar cartilage of the right knee, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since March 22, 2012.

The Board found that the Veteran's tumor on the neck is related to his service, specifically his deployment in Southwest Asia. The cervical spine disability was also found to be related to his service.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and an earlier effective date for his service-connected cervical spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for another medical opinion regarding the Veteran's cervical and thoracolumbar spine disorders.