Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2026

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and arthritis of the cervical spine, attributing these conditions to a motor vehicle accident in 1977 during active service.

The Board has determined that the Centralized Eligibility and Appeals Team (CEAT) decision denying the Veteran's eligibility for the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) is inadequate due to insufficient reasoning. The appeal is being remanded to obtain a more detailed medical opinion addressing the Veteran's need for personal care services, supervision, and protection.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and bilateral plantar fasciitis, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his in-service foot pain. Service connection was denied for cervical spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and headaches.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial rating of migraines and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine have been denied. The effective dates for these conditions are not granted as they are already at their earliest possible date due to the nature of the claim.

The Board has denied service connection for a personality disorder, finding that it is not a disability for which service connection may be granted.,Service connection for cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as chronic sleep impairment (insomnia), are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to incomplete records, including a lack of color photographs of his scars. The claims are being returned to the agency that made the initial decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck and left knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran testified about his service experiences and ongoing pain, but VA examinations are needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received with respect to all the service connection claims on appeal. The claims are being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA examinations and medical opinions to determine the nature and etiology of the claimed conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance for his spouse, finding that she did not meet the criteria set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 3.352(a) due to her ability to leave the house with assistance.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and hypertension were caused by his exposure to herbicides in service. The cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's cervical spine (neck) disability, left shoulder disability, and migraines are granted service connection. The thoracolumbar and bilateral elbow disabilities are remanded for further examination.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations provided in August 2018 are insufficient and remands these claims for additional evaluations to determine if the Veteran's claimed disabilities were incurred during his active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee, and patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's service-connected cervical strain and bilateral ankle tendonitis are alleged to be related to his current back and knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new examination is required to assess the severity of the Veteran's cervical strain disability.

The Board has dismissed the claim for service connection for PTSD due to a full grant of benefits. The Veteran's IBS is granted with an initial noncompensable rating, and the issues of psychiatric disorders other than PTSD, rectal bleeding, migraines, and cervical spine disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a right elbow disorder was denied. The rating claims for cervical strain, thoracolumbar back strain, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and right ankle inversion laxity with instability were all denied. Migraine headaches did not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and cervical strain, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU have been dismissed as the appeal was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his neck, back, and right wrist disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease, finding that these conditions are related to his military service.