Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2026

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including APD, right shoulder strain, left shoulder condition, cervical neck pain, scoliosis, and migraines. The Board found that there was no evidence to support these claims based on the lack of in-service injury or diagnosis.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, right shoulder, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions. The VA will obtain additional medical opinions that consider all relevant evidence of record, including the Veteran's lay statements.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, cervical spine disability, and seizure disorder, render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation. Therefore, the Board has granted his TDIU application.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding the service connection for a cervical spine disability. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with an addendum VA opinion.

An effective date of May 22, 2011, is granted for the award of service connection for cervical degenerative arthritis with strain (neck disability) and radiculopathy of the right upper extremity.,An effective date prior to September 27, 2018, for the award of service connection for radiculopathy of the left upper extremity is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of competent medical evidence and because the VA examiner who provided the April 2024 VA examinations and opinions was challenged as not being qualified. The Veteran is also not yet afforded VA examinations for his claimed cervical spine and left shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's current skin conditions, including basal cell carcinoma, COPD, sleep apnea, GERD, DVT, pulmonary embolism, right upper extremity neuropathy, left upper extremity neuropathy, and cervical spine disability are not related to his service-connected disabilities or his conceded TERAs.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's neck condition is not service-connected, and remanded to obtain a proper medical opinion regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including loss of teeth due to bone loss, foot fractures, neck strain, peripheral neuropathy, and visual impairment, were denied as the evidence did not support a current diagnosis or a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for neck disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, and left shoulder disability due to a failure to request medical examinations or obtain medical opinions. The claims are being returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical strain with degenerative arthritis, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) and spinal stenosis and bruxism. The Veteran's neck disability is believed to have started following a skydiving accident during active service, while her bruxism began during active service.

The Veteran is not entitled to an effective date prior to June 29, 2023, for the awards of service connection for cervical spine strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome and radiculopathy, right upper extremity, upper radicular nerve group.,The Veteran is also not entitled to an earlier effective date for eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left leg shin splints, right leg shin splints, joint pain (claimed as arthritis), sleep apnea, fatigue, neck condition, acne, and lung condition. The evidence did not show a current disability or link to military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, right knee, left knee, right foot, left foot, and right ankle disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during or are otherwise related to his military service.

The Veteran's right knee, left knee, and cervical spine disabilities are granted as service-connected.,Service connection is established for the Veteran's right knee, left knee, and cervical spine conditions based on their direct relationship to his active military service.

The Board has granted service connection for diffuse cervical spondylosis and C3/4 disc herniation causing spinal cord compression and myelopathy, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, lumbar disc disease, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral knee strains, residuals of a left ankle concussion, and bilateral pes cavus are found to be related to his obstructive sleep apnea. His claim for restoration of a 30 percent evaluation for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability with left upper extremity radiculopathy, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or chronic condition. The Board concluded that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left shoulder and neck disabilities due to a claimed in-service accident. A VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the cervical spine with radiculopathy and tinnitus are granted service connection, while his bilateral hearing loss and vertigo secondary to hearing loss are denied. The Veteran is assigned a 10% rating for his lumbar strain.