Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2026

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has dismissed the claims for left wrist disability, TBI, and lower back condition due to withdrawal by the Veteran's representative. The cervical injury, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy service connection claims are remanded as new evidence supports reopening these claims.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for cervical spine disability was denied, as the evidence did not show ankylosis or forward flexion to 15 degrees or less.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for chronic headaches was granted with a 50% rating.

The Veteran's headaches are granted service connection as they are secondary to his service-connected temporomandibular disorder (TMD). The acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) is denied due to lack of in-service disease or injury. Service connection for left hip, right hip, and cervical spine disabilities is also denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple conditions has been withdrawn, and the cases of right elbow, left elbow, neck, right shoulder, left shoulder, and sleep apnea disabilities are remanded due to lack of a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for chronic bronchitis is denied. The Board finds that the Veteran did not continuously pursue a previous claim for chronic bronchitis prior to July 4, 2024.

The Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disorders are found to be related to his active duty service.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disorders.

The Veteran's cervical condition is found to have begun during service and the Board grants service connection for this disability.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted to warrant readjudication of the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, erectile dysfunction, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy, migraines, cervical spine disability, bilateral foot disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, left knee disability, and left shoulder disability. However, no new evidence has been submitted to warrant readjudication of the claims for service connection for a left ankle disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, or any other musculoskeletal disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, headaches, cervical strain, left shoulder strain, right shoulder strain, and tinea pedis have been denied. The effective date of the awards is October 13, 2022.

The Veteran's cervical spondylosis and lumbosacral spine degenerative changes with spasm are rated at the maximum allowed under VA guidelines. The Veteran was granted a 20 percent disability rating for his left shoulder status post rotator cuff repair and Mumford procedure, right shoulder impingement status post subacromial decompression, hemorrhoids, and chronic right ankle sprains status post excision ganglion cyst with residual scar.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that there was no causal relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been readjudicated and are granted. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for neck disability (secondary to low back disability) and depression (secondary to low back disability). Additionally, the TDIU claim is being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine disability and lumbar spine disability, finding no evidence of a disease or injury in service that caused the current disabilities.,Post-service treatment records show sporadic cervical spine pain beginning in the 2000s, which is not considered chronic enough to establish onset during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and a right foot disorder other than the service-connected right toe fracture due to exposure to herbicide agents and contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The AOJ must reschedule VA examinations and ensure all attempts to contact the Veteran are documented.

The Board has granted service connection for a neurological disorder of the left lower extremity involving the sciatic nerve as secondary to service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The cervical spine disability claim is remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating issues have been withdrawn, and the appeal as to these issues is dismissed.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of headaches, cervical spine disability, and right ear hearing loss due to his withdrawal of these claims at a Board hearing.

The Board denied service connection for cervical strain as there is no evidence of a chronic condition related to service, and the appellant's current neck pain does not stem from his in-service complaints.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from working, and he has the necessary skills to transition into suitable employment without direct intervention of Chapter 31 benefits.