Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2026

The reduction in rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy from 20 percent to noncompensable effective March 1, 2021, was improper and the 20 percent disability rating is restored.,The reduction in rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy from 20 percent to noncompensable effective March 1, 2021, was improper and the 20 percent disability rating is restored.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, which has been granted for SMC purposes.

The Veteran's neck and right knee disabilities are granted as they are presumed to be related to active service.,There is no evidence of dizziness or shortness of breath during the pendency of the claim, so these claims are denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to in-service noise exposure and has been granted service connection.,There is no evidence of a diagnosed bilateral eye condition for VA purposes, and the claim for service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple conditions has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, diagnosed as tendonitis, is granted service connection.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted service connection. The Board notes that the evidence does not specify a particular type of exposure basis for this condition.,Service connection for cervical spine disability and lower back disability are remanded due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.,Service connection for bilateral toe disability (claimed as residuals from bilateral great toes surgery) is remanded due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.,Service connection for left ankle disability and right knee disability are remanded due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that there was no current diagnosis of chronic sinusitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, or right quadricep strain. For the issues related to bilateral plantar fasciitis, cervical spine disability, neck surgery scar, shoulder disabilities, ankle disabilities, knee disabilities, allergic rhinitis, and migraine headaches, the evidence did not support a finding that they were incurred in service.

The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Cervical Spine Disability, Degenerative Arthritis. The OSA is related to the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus and GERD, while the cervical spine disability is linked to his in-service injuries.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board denied entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's lumbar spine, cervical spine, right upper extremity radiculopathy, acquired psychiatric disorder with bruxism, allergic rhinitis, eczema, hemorrhoids, IBS, bilateral eye disability, and tinnitus have been granted effective July 30, 2022.,The Veteran's lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities, right upper extremity radiculopathy, acquired psychiatric disorder with bruxism, allergic rhinitis, eczema, hemorrhoids, IBS, bilateral eye disability, and tinnitus have been granted effective July 30, 2022.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of November 26, 2019 for the grants of service connection for PTSD with panic attacks, lumbosacral strain, cervical strain, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy.

The appeal of the prostate disability claim is dismissed. The cervical and lumbar spine disability claims are remanded.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to readjudicate the claims for service connection for cervicalgia, low back pain, and a bilateral foot disability. The claims are being remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for PTSD, lumbar strain, cervical strain, left knee strain, right knee strain, and right shoulder strain are denied.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine with spinal stenosis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his in-service injury and resolving all doubt in his favor.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a failure to obtain an opinion from a VA examiner regarding the Veteran's disabilities and their relation to carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment or similar instance of fault on the part of VA.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine and bilateral shoulder disabilities rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment since July 17, 1995. The Board granted his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to inadequate examinations. The VA is required to provide an adequate examination in this case.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating from September 28, 2019 for the Veteran's service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome with disc herniation L3-S1, status post discectomy L3-4 and L4-5. The other conditions have been rated based on their direct service connection.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective October 10, 2013, based on his service-connected disabilities. The effective date is the earliest possible as it aligns with when he stopped working due to his neck disability.