Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2026

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, right knee degenerative arthritis, lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and IVDS, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to insufficient basis in the VA clinician's opinion. Additional VA examinations are needed to determine current severity of conditions.

The Veteran seeks earlier effective dates for service connection of cervical spine DDD and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy. The Board finds that the claims are not eligible for an earlier effective date due to lack of timely filing or receipt of new and material evidence.,The effective date for service connection is determined based on when entitlement arose, which in this case is March 6, 2009.

The Veteran's cervical strain and lumbosacral strain disabilities have been rated based on their severity, with the insomnia (now classified as generalized anxiety disorder) disability being rated separately. The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for erectile dysfunction.,For cervical strain, the Veteran's symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to readjudicate the previously denied claims of service connection for various conditions, including cervical spine strain, diabetes mellitus type II (DM II), erectile dysfunction (ED), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), left ankle strain, right ankle instability, residuals of a cold injury of the hands, mental health condition, and head injuries. The claims are being remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran's service connection for right ear hearing loss and left ear hearing loss is granted. Service connection for shin splints, right lower extremity and left lower extremity, tendonitis and patellofemoral pain syndrome of the knees, and cervical disc protrusion are denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to readjudicate his claim for service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea. However, the AOJ did not address the merits of the claim and declined to readjudicate it on the basis that new and relevant evidence had not been received. The issue of entitlement to an increased rating for a neck disability is also remanded due to procedural errors.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of July 15, 2013 for the grant of service connection for a left shoulder disability is granted. The initial rating for a left shoulder disability remains at 20 percent. The claim for TDIU earlier than September 25, 2020 is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and service connection have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and headaches as of August 1, 2018. The decision is based on the Veteran's assertions that her conditions began during military service and are related to her service-connected cervical spine disability.

Service connection for a neck disability is granted due to degenerative changes of the cervical spine within one year of separation from active duty.,Service connection for bilateral hammertoes is denied as there is no evidence showing they are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than the specified dates have been dismissed due to their death.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and bilateral hearing loss disability are granted as service connected.

The Veteran's cervical spine strain with degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating. The disability was restored to its previous 30 percent rating effective December 21, 2023.

The Veteran's micturition syncope, OSA, cervical spine condition, left shoulder cervical radiculopathy, and numbness and tingling right upper extremity have been granted service connection with a 10% disability rating for micturition syncope. The other conditions are also granted but no specific rating is assigned.

Service connection for a left ankle disability is granted, while service connection for other joint disorders (including cervical spine, back, and shoulder) is denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for chronic neuralgia and eustachian tube dysfunction due to withdrawal by the appellant. The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is granted, but the cervical spine degenerative arthritis and scar from hernia repair are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, BPPV, tinnitus, migraine headaches, low back disability, and cervical spine disability due to incomplete medical opinions that did not address all theories of entitlement.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, but denied service connection for right hip and right knee conditions due to lack of current diagnoses.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, left shoulder impingement, right shoulder impingement, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and left upper extremity radiculopathy have all been granted. A separate rating is also granted for left upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine, right shoulder, left shoulder, cervical spine, and skin conditions.,Reasoning: The evidence supports that these conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service injuries.