Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2026

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine disability, but granted TDIU and SMC based on housebound criteria due to the Veteran's lumbar spine disability.

The Board has found the Veteran's cervical disorder may be related to service, but additional medical opinions are needed to determine if it is aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, either alone or in combination, did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment consistent with his education, training, and experience for the appeal period prior to May 4, 2015.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to deficiencies in the October 2023 VA medical opinions and requests for information regarding the qualifications of the examiner.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation and determination of service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, knee disabilities, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, shoulder disability, radiculopathy, hip disability, sinusitis, and deviated septum.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is denied as there is no medical evidence linking the condition to service.,The Veteran's right knee and left knee disorders are denied as there is no medical evidence linking them to service or secondary to a lower back disability.,The Veteran's left hand disorder remains pending, requiring additional medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis.,The Veteran's claims for cervical condition and lower back condition are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.,The Veteran's claim for degenerative disc disease other than IVDS of the lumbar spine is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an addendum opinion for cervical strain, and thus additional examination is needed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for kyphosis and degenerative disc disease, as well as cervical strain with IVDS. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions had their onset in or were caused by service.

The Board has determined that the decision on eligibility for PCAFC benefits was not legally adequate and requires a new medical determination considering all medical information of record.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, cervical strain, and other conditions are denied. The case is remanded for further development on several issues.

The appeal for an effective date earlier than August 6, 2023 for service connection of various conditions is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis right shoulder (dominant) and cervical spine degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the current disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have caused him to be in need of regular aid and attendance, which has been granted for special monthly compensation (SMC).

The Veteran's claim for SMC at the intermediate rate based on need for aid and attendance with additional service-connected disabilities combining to 50 percent or more is granted. The claims for higher rates of SMC, total schedular ratings for loss of use of both hands and feet are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The appeal seeking service connection for a right shoulder disability and low back disability is dismissed. The appeals seeking service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left shoulder disability, and neck disability are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine has been dismissed due to their death.

The Board has denied service connection for chronic joint pain and insomnia, but has remanded the claims of left hip strain, right hip strain, and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine due to a duty to assist error.

The Board has remanded the claims for fibromyalgia, right knee disability, neck disability, right hip disability, right elbow disability, and bilateral foot disability due to potential service connection under the PACT Act. The Veteran is presumed to have been exposed to burn pits in Somalia.