Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2026

The Veteran's left wrist disorder is granted service connection and assigned a 20% rating.,His neck disability is granted with an initial 20% rating, but no higher.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spondylosis and left ankle disability, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus to service. The Veteran's neck condition was attributed to wear and tear over time, while his ankle issue was linked to post-service surgery.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate rationale in the VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cervical myositis condition.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine, right shoulder, and left shoulder disabilities.,Service connection is also remanded for a thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Veteran withdrew all his claims on appeal, including the ratings for cervical spine and left knee disabilities, as well as service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities and TDIU.

The Veteran's wife has been providing regular care and assistance to the Veteran since February 13, 2017 due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board grants an effective date of February 13, 2017 for SMC based on need for aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding the Veteran's treatment and flare-ups, and to obtain an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected cervicalgia, left shoulder strain, right shoulder strain with bursitis, and left hip strain were granted effective April 27, 2022.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for cervical spine, right shoulder, lumbosacral spine, and left ankle disabilities have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of the appeal by the Veteran's attorney.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and neck disabilities due to a lack of consideration of certain evidence, including his service treatment records. The VA is required to obtain these records and provide an addendum opinion on the etiology of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD, cervical strain with related upper extremity radiculopathies, and lumbar strain have been granted effective July 18, 2019. The Veteran is also granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD since July 18, 2019.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy is dismissed. Service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) of the cervical spine is granted.

The Veteran's cervical spine DDD and IVDS are rated at 30% prior to September 28, 2021, but not higher.,The Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy is rated at 20% from February 3, 2023, onwards.,The Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease is rated at 10% from February 3, 2023, onwards.,The Veteran's vasomotor rhinitis is rated at 10% from February 3, 2023, onwards.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease), Hiatal Hernia and Diverticulitis are rated at 30%.

The Veteran is granted SMC at the (n) rate effective November 9, 2020, based on a combination of service-connected conditions that independently reach or exceed 50% disability ratings.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at zero percent, as the VA examinations did not show any exceptional pattern of hearing impairment.,Both his right knee strain and cervical strain are currently rated at ten percent. The Board has remanded these issues for additional examination to consider the ameliorative effects of medication.

The Veteran's post-concussive headaches have been rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent throughout the appeal period.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder, back, and neck disabilities but denied hepatitis C. The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnoses are less likely related to his in-service injuries.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, lower spine, and neck conditions due to inadequate VA medical opinions in the previous decision. The case is being returned for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical strain and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain with grade 1 spondylolisthesis L5-S1 and facet sclerosis left side.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there was no evidence of a current disability during the period under review.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities are remanded to allow for further examination and opinion regarding their etiology.