Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that the VA examinations conducted in March 2019 were inadequate and remanded for further development. The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are still on appeal.

The Board has determined that it is as likely as not that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder is proximately due to or related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, prevented him from engaging in physically demanding work. The Board finds the May 2014 VA examiner’s opinion inadequate to decide the TDIU claim and requests an addendum opinion addressing all of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, finding that the Veteran's current back condition is related to his active military service. Service connection was denied for a cervical spine disability due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and a left upper extremity neurological disability, finding that both conditions were aggravated by active duty for training. The Veteran's now-service-connected cervical spine condition is found to have caused his current left upper extremity neurological disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for left ankle disability, left ankle scar, left knee disability, left hip disability, right shoulder disability, and cervical spine disability due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of VA and private treatment records, as well as verification of his ACDUTRA dates. The appellant is also required to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed back, bilateral knee, and cervical spine disorders.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining addendum opinions from VA examiners regarding service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disorders. The issues are to be addressed in light of the Veteran's reported back pain over the years since service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, neck disability, and sleep apnea due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations. The VA is required to obtain new opinions addressing whether these conditions are related to his active service or secondary to his service-connected foot disabilities.

The Veteran died due to a house fire, and the appellant was convicted of murder. As the appellant is incarcerated, she cannot receive VA benefits.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and potential herbicide exposure verification.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities: a higher rating for his thoracic spine and cervical spine conditions, an initial rating for his other specified trauma and stressor related disorder with alcohol use disorder in remission, and TDIU. The case is being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted as secondary to her service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. Her TDIU claim is also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, and left knee joint. The Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with its previous remand directives and a need for an updated VA examination.

The Board has denied service connection for a right knee disorder, finding that the Veteran did not have such a condition during or after his military service. The cervical spine and low back disorders are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work history, leading to the grant of a total disability rating for compensation based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the cervical spine, finding that there was no evidence to support an in-service injury or aggravation and that any current condition is not related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability, left arm disability, and acquired psychiatric disability (to include depression). The Veteran's TBI claim was denied. Headache and bilateral foot disabilities are remanded.,Service connection is granted for the following conditions: Neck Disability, Left Arm Disability, Acquired Psychiatric Disability (to include Depression), and Headaches.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for a right hand disability, back disability, and bilateral hammertoes. However, it denied service connection for abdominal pain and diabetes mellitus.