Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2026

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (COPD, PTSD, neck disability, bilateral knee disabilities, right shoulder disability, and bilateral hearing loss) precluded him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment during the period from March 25, 2015 to December 13, 2021. As a result, he is granted a TDIU for this period.

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial disability rating for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is being remanded due to inadequate examination regarding functional ankylosis.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been granted, with some issues receiving initial ratings and others being denied or remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, left hip disability, and right hip disability due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The Veteran is required to be provided with addendum opinions addressing these claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional VA examinations to assess the current severity of her service-connected disabilities. The issues remain on appeal as they have not been finally decided.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is rated at 20% since July 1, 2022. The lumbar spine disorder was initially granted a 20% rating from September 1, 2022 to October 19, 2022 and then denied any higher ratings thereafter.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for a cervical spine disability due to conflicting medical opinions and an unclear diagnosis. The case is returned for further development, including obtaining additional VA examination and medical opinion.

The Board finds that remand is necessary to obtain relevant private medical records for the cervical spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, right hip disability, and left hip disability.,The AOJ failed to undertake appropriate efforts to obtain these records prior to issuance of the December 24, 2019, or January 24, 2020, AOJ decisions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence, particularly regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disability and right upper extremity neurological impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee instability as secondary to a service-connected left knee fracture, but has remanded the neck disability claim due to inadequate opinion regarding its relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for cervical strain since August 20, 2018, has been withdrawn.,Service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is granted.,Service connection for right shoulder condition, including dislocation, pain, and surgery, is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, cervical strain, erectile dysfunction, lumbosacral strain, and pseudofolliculitis barbae have all been denied. The Veteran has not submitted new and relevant evidence to support his claims.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is rated noncompensably (0%) due to the absence of penile deformity.,The Veteran's cervical spine strain is rated 10% due to forward flexion limited to 35 degrees with a combined range of motion of 295 degrees.

The Veteran's cervical strain with degenerative arthritis is related to her military service.,The Veteran's OSA was caused by her service-connected anxiety with depressive features and panic disorder (previously rated as panic disorder, agoraphobia with somatic symptoms disorder).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, left shoulder disability, and other conditions, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA eligibility are granted effective May 5, 2021.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disability, finding no persuasive evidence of a current disability or persistent symptoms.

The Board has denied service connection for cervical strain with intervertebral disc syndrome and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, mood disorders, depressive disorders, personality disorders, and cognitive disorders. The Veteran's claims were based on the presumption of soundness at entry into service but failed to meet the criteria due to lack of preexisting conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and a need for further medical examination. The issues include right foot osteoarthritis, cervical spondylosis, thoracic spondylosis and lumbosacral region disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left leg neuropathy, and right leg neuropathy.