Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2026

The Board has determined that additional development is needed due to new evidence being added to the record. The case will be returned to the AOJ for initial review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical spine disability, finding that there is no evidence of a disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by active service and no causal relationship between the current disability and any service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for gastrointestinal disability, erectile dysfunction, sleep apnea, neck disability, left arm disability, and left hand disability due to potential service connection based on exposure at Camp Lejeune. The VA will obtain medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates are being remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error and the need for an addendum VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted an initial rating of 70 percent, but no greater. The left foot plantar fasciitis remains at a 10 percent disability rating. Service connection for hypertension and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine are granted.

The appeal for service connection of the Veteran's back/lumbar spine disability, neck/cervical spine disability, migraine headaches, urinary frequency, and TMJ/TMD has been dismissed. The appeal for service connection of depression is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for a cervical spine disability, including degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine. The VA will obtain a new medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's current condition had its onset during or is at least as likely as not related to an in-service fall causing symptoms.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence was presented to readjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right shoulder, lumbar spine, and cervical spine disabilities. However, these issues are being remanded due to procedural errors in obtaining a VA medical opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, but has remanded the issue of service connection for a neck disability due to lack of examination and medical opinion.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a cervical spine disorder, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral ankle and knee strains, as well as left and right wrist and elbow strains, all secondary to the appellant's service-connected lumbar spine disability. Service connection was also granted for a cervical spine disability (with degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis).

The Veteran's cervical strain is granted an initial rating of 20 percent, but not higher. The Veteran's chronic constipation and allergic rhinitis are denied initial compensable ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal of the May 30, 2023 rating decision that granted service connection for deviated septum at zero percent effective March 3, 2022 and denied service connection for neck disability, back disability, COPD, and hearing loss.

The Board has denied service connection for memory loss disability, cervical spine disability, and thoracic spine disability. The case is remanded to obtain medical opinions regarding the relationship between these disabilities and service or any related conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the cervical spine condition claim due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his active service, including exposure to contaminants at Camp Lejeune or diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for SMC (Aid and Attendance) was denied because he did not meet the criteria of needing regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities. The claim for SMC (Housebound Status) was also denied as he did not have a single 100% disability rating.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for headaches and a cervical spine disability as they have already been granted in a June 2025 rating decision.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for increased disability ratings are denied as there is no factually ascertainable increase in the disabilities within the one-year look back period.