Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2026

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability, finding that the Veteran's symptoms had their onset during active duty and have continued since.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability rating prior to August 22, 2014, for chronic thoracolumbar strain with degenerative disc disease is denied.,The Veteran's claim for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114 (s) is denied.,The Veteran's claims of entitlement to a higher initial disability rating prior to October 16, 2020, for cervical spine disability and TDIU prior to November 12, 2018 are remanded.

An appeal concerning entitlement to service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy is dismissed.,An appeal concerning the issue of entitlement to service connection for cervical spine DDD, other than IVDS, including spinal stenosis, is dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine spondylotic changes and gastritis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms were chronic in service and continuous since separation. The decision is based on presumptive service connection due to arthritis.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a right knee disability due to errors in the AOJ's decision. The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions including generalized anxiety disorder, tinnitus, chronic sinusitis, and cervical strain.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for migraines is dismissed because the issue was already pending in a supplemental claim.,The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for neck disability is dismissed due to procedural issues, as the AOJ had not yet issued a notification letter regarding the January 5, 2024 decision.

The Veteran's cervical strain and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy have been granted increased ratings.,An effective date of April 14, 2023 has been established for the grant of a 30 percent rating for cervical strain. The earlier effective dates for cervical radiculopathy were denied.,TDIU was dismissed without prejudice.

The Board has decided that the VA did not provide a proper examination for the Veteran's neck strain claim and therefore remanded the case to obtain an appropriate medical opinion.

The Veteran's cervical spine, left upper and right upper extremity nerve conditions, left knee disability, GERD, and asthma are all found to be related to his active-duty service.,Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric, lumbar spine, cervical spine, and right shoulder disabilities make it impossible for him to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical spine degenerative arthritis with spinal stenosis, finding that the evidence is in approximate balance as to whether his neck disability was caused by or related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and a need for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error, requiring an adequate medical opinion on aggravation.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left foot condition has been dismissed due to a duty to assist error.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis and stenosis of the cervical spine are granted service connection as they are related to parachute jumps during active-duty service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for depressive disorder, left upper extremity radiculopathy with Parsonage-Turner Syndrome, cervical spine disorder, and left shoulder disorder have been denied.,No effective date earlier than July 13, 2022 has been granted for the grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder strain, left shoulder strain as secondary to the right shoulder disability, and cervical strain as secondary to bilateral shoulders. The Veteran's conditions are found to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the decision on appeal was not legally adequate and requires remand for further action, including obtaining a medical opinion from the CEAT regarding personal care services needs and supervision requirements. The AOJ must also provide compliant notice under 38 U.S.C. § 5104.

The Veteran's right and left hand disabilities are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's neck disability is granted as service-connected due to an undiagnosed illness or MUCMI.,The Veteran's bilateral shoulder and hip disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that it is due to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disability.