Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2026

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to inconsistencies in the medical evidence regarding her arm symptoms and radiculopathy. The VA will obtain a report of the May 2024 nerve conduction study and schedule an examination to determine if she has a right and/or left arm disability, including radiculopathy, that is related to her cervical spine disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, shin splints, foot disabilities, shoulder, ankle, hip, knee, and multi-joint arthritis. The Board also granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD with substance use disorder, severe.

The Veteran's increased ratings for cervical strain with IVDS and lumbosacral and thoracic strain, as well as service connection for LUE, LLE, and RLE radiculopathy were granted effective May 8, 2023.,Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits were also awarded based on the Veteran's combined 100 percent disability rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to September 30, 2021. The effective date was not granted as there was no factually ascertainable increase in his service-connected disabilities within one year of the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right hand carpal tunnel syndrome, left hand carpal tunnel syndrome, cervical spine disorder, and lumbar spine disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and cervical spine disabilities are now rated at their highest possible levels, with a 100 percent rating for unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine effective November 15, 2021. The ratings for prior periods remain denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for high blood pressure, neck disability, and sleep condition due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's service connected thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, radiculopathy of the right upper and lower extremities, and radiculopathy of the left upper and lower extremities are all remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral foot, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to duty-to-assist errors, including obtaining VA examinations and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's neck disability, erectile dysfunction, GERD, and migraine headaches.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease (DDD) other than intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, s/p cervical laminectomy. The decision is based on credible evidence that the disabilities had their onset in service.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the complexity of the issues.,The Veteran is seeking increased ratings for various disabilities, including bilateral plantar fasciitis, a surgical scar, cervical spine disability, left upper extremity radiculopathy, left hip disability, right knee disability, psychiatric disability, right ankle and left ankle disabilities, gastrointestinal disability, vocal cord dysfunction, sinusitis, tinea, and facial acne.

The Veteran's service connection claims for migraines, an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety), BPH, GERD, hypertension, chronic dyspnea, vertigo as secondary to tinnitus, cervical strain, left upper extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, insomnia, and chronic fatigue have all been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical stenosis and cervical spondylosis (cervical spine arthritis) on a chronic disease presumptive basis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms of pain have been continuous since service separation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating greater than 30 percent for his degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine (neck disability) as there was no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis, and the associated upper extremity radiculopathy symptoms were separately rated.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for muscles spasm due to trapezius muscle strain, hearing loss, and cervical spine disability. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's neck disability is related to service or secondary to his service-connected back disability. The Veteran will need to provide additional evidence and a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine disorder and right shoulder disorder due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's service records show diagnoses of neck strain and shoulder strain, but no in-service documentation of these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an initial 70 percent rating, effective December 2022.,Left great ingrown toenail residuals were denied a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to duty-to-assist errors and a need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disability.