Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2026

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, headaches, and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability.,The Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service injuries and duties, with ongoing symptoms since service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right and left knee degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine stenosis and DDD, left lower extremity radiculopathy, left shoulder bicipital tendonitis, cervical spine DDD, stenosis and facet arthropathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy have all been granted. The claims are based on direct service connection.

Your appeal for service connection for a cervical spine disability (claimed as upper back pain and cervical fusion) has been dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome, finding that her condition is at least as likely as not related to her military service.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability, head injury residuals, and headaches. The Veteran's current diagnoses were not shown as chronic in service or related to an in-service injury.,There is no evidence of a current diagnosis of a TBI or residual head injury during active service.

The Veteran's tinnitus, left ankle condition, right ankle condition, pain of the cervical and cervicothoracic region, cervicogenic headaches, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy are all granted as service-connected.,Service connection is established for these conditions based on direct evidence showing their onset during active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of proper notice and is now required to provide the Veteran with a pre-decisional hearing.

The Veteran's cervical spine disabilities, including degenerative arthritis and spinal cord compression/cervical myelopathy, are granted as service connected. The bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy is also granted as secondary to the cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's rating for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine was restored to 20 percent effective October 31, 2024. Other claims were denied or granted with specific ratings.

The Veteran's appeals for PTSD, Bipolar Disorder, and Depression have been denied. The appeal for a compensable evaluation for sinusitis has been dismissed due to the AOJ's deferred decision. The appeal for service connection for vertigo is remanded as it may be related to hypertension. The appeal for an evaluation greater than 20 percent for cervical strain is also remanded. The appeal for service connection for insomnia is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and an initial rating of 20 percent for the left ankle disability. The cervical spine and bilateral knee disabilities are remanded due to procedural errors.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected left knee arthritis and cervical strain with degenerative arthritis, spinal fusion, and anterior cervical discectomy are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. The Board finds the February 2020 and January 2020 VA examinations insufficient as they did not consider the ameliorative effects of medication on his disabilities.

The appeal for initial compensable rating for service-connected scar of the anterior cervical spine, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected tinnitus, and a rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected right shoulder impingement syndrome is dismissed. Service connection for a heart disability is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck disability and right upper extremity radiculopathy, both secondary to his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and neck disability. Effective January 21, 2020, a 100 percent evaluation is granted for PTSD due to MST with depression.

The Board has decided to remand all of the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate VA opinions.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, cervical cancer, and left ear hearing loss due to lack of in-service injury or disease, no current diagnosis, and insufficient evidence.,Service connection was not granted for cervical cancer as the Veteran did not have a confirmed diagnosis at any point during the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities resulted in the need for regular aid and attendance, leading to a grant of special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance. The claim for higher rate SMC(t) due to traumatic brain injury is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because the Board Appeal request was not timely filed within one year of the May 20, 2024 rating decision. The Veteran did not provide sufficient evidence to show good cause for the late filing.

The Board has found pre-decisional duty to assist errors in the claims for service connection of cervical strain and lumbosacral strain, requiring additional development including obtaining STRs from Fort Hood and a VA medical opinion.