Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2026

The Veteran's increased evaluations for cervical strain and IBS were granted effective April 3, 2023. The Board has now granted earlier effective dates of November 29, 2022.

The Veteran's right shoulder degenerative joint disease, cervical spondylosis and degenerative arthritis, and hemorrhoids are all granted as service-connected.,Service connection is established for the Veteran's right shoulder condition, cervical spine condition, and hemorrhoids due to continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine disability, finding that it is causally and etiologically related to her military service, including her in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for cervical strain with IVDS and spondylolisthesis due to a pre-decisional error in not considering whether the Veteran's condition was aggravated by service or if it clearly existed prior to service.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition and associated right upper extremity radiculopathy are granted service connection as they developed during his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for SMC based on aid and attendance is granted, with the effective date set at October 11, 2021.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for SMC at the housebound rate, finding that he did not meet the criteria for this benefit prior to October 14, 2020 due to lack of a single disability rated at 100% and additional disabilities independently ratable at 60%. The Veteran was also deemed unemployable solely by his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed due to untimely filings. The Board also found the AOJ decisions on kidney stones and gastrointestinal symptoms insufficient, requiring further examination.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's cervical spine condition is related to his active service and granted service connection. However, the right shoulder condition remains in dispute and needs further examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Veteran's bilateral knee pain is granted service connection, but his bilateral hearing loss and OSA are denied. The cervical strain and generalized anxiety disorder claims are remanded for further review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran requires personal care services due to his psychiatric, musculoskeletal, and neurological disorders for at least six continuous months. The appeal is remanded to determine if it is in the best interest of the Veteran to participate in the PCAFC program.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of aid and attendance, as he requires assistance with activities such as bathing, dressing, personal hygiene, medication management, and housekeeping/laundry due to his TBI, PTSD, OSA, headaches, lumbar spine disability, arthritis, and severe chronic back pain. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical strain, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right knee strain, and left knee strain. The Board found that there is an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence in favor of the Veteran's claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to incomplete VA examination reports. The Veteran is not related to service or any incident of service, and no other etiology was provided.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his ability to independently ambulate without aids.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that there was no evidence of chronic disease in service or within the presumptive period. The Board also found that the Veteran did not have continuity of symptomatology and that his current condition is more likely due to natural progression rather than service.

The Board has found that remand is needed for additional development, including obtaining outstanding treatment records and scheduling a new examination to evaluate the Veteran's cervical spine disability and radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the issues of service connection for residuals of a hiatal hernia surgical repair, obstructive sleep apnea, left hand disorder, left shoulder disorder, right knee disorder, and cervical spine disorder due to incomplete compliance with prior remand directives.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.