Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,Specifically, new VA examinations are required for her cervical spine and lumbosacral spine disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability and a cervical spine disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to her in-service injuries.,The Board also granted secondary service connection for migraines as they are found to be related to the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, anxiety disorder, depressive disorder) as these conditions are deemed to have been incurred during active duty.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disability and its connection to VA treatment. The Veteran claims that his current condition is a result of VA recommending surgery and referring him for care outside the VA system.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the Veteran's service connection claim for a cervical spine disability, as well as his claims for increased ratings for right and left foot disabilities. The VA will need to verify any periods of active duty for training or inactive duty for training and provide an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current cervical spine diagnoses.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder rotator cuff tear as secondary to the Veteran's right shoulder disability. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding cervical spine disability and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and additional development is needed. The issues include neck, left knee, right shoulder, right knee, bilateral foot disabilities, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder and a sleep disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of action on his claim that the RO committed clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in its October 2006 rating decision.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including right and left foot disabilities, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, sleep apnea, heart disability, and cervical spine disability. The Veteran's assertions were not supported by medical evidence or credible supporting statements.,No current diagnoses of these conditions have been established in the record.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error, and he needs an examination to determine his eligibility for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from October 10, 2019 due to his service-connected disabilities. Prior to this date, the evidence did not show he could secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, requiring an examination and medical advisory opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim to reopen the previously denied cervical spine disability was received on March 9, 2018. The effective date for the grant of service connection is set at the date of receipt of the claim, which is March 9, 2018.

The Veteran's appeal for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a broken screw in the neck due to cervical spinal surgery, service connection for residuals from surgery for implant of neurostimulator installed for chronic pain following cervical spine surgeries, and service connection for right iliac crest bone graft associated with cervical spine surgery has been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for migraine headaches as secondary to service-connected disabilities including sinusitis has been granted. The rating for UTI (cystitis) is partially granted from October 29, 2018.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including sleep apnea, insomnia, a neck disability, erectile dysfunction, right and left knee disabilities, and foot disabilities. The issues are related to in-service symptoms and injuries.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings have been dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn all remaining issues associated with this appeal.

The Board has remanded both issues for further development and readjudication. The neck disability issue is being remanded due to inadequate previous opinions, while the major depression with pseudo dementia and memory loss / cognitive impairment issue is inextricably intertwined with the neck disability.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathies are currently rated at the minimum levels, with no higher ratings assignable based on current evidence. The case is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck and back disabilities due to PTSD. The appeal is being returned for additional development, including obtaining an independent medical opinion from a non-VA expert.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various foot, ankle, spine, and shoulder conditions have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing conditions were aggravated by his military service or caused by other service-connected disabilities.