Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate VA opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed cervical spine and low back disabilities. The examiner is required to provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that these disabilities are related to service, considering the Veteran's in-service scooter accident and her MOS.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine disability, low back disability, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Service connection for Sjogren's syndrome with vitreous degeneration and punctate keratitis is remanded due to newly added evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, right wrist sprain, cervical spine disability, and left ankle disabilities. The Veteran's claim for service connection of a left hip disability is granted.

The Veteran's lumbar strain has been granted a 20 percent evaluation, effective February 21, 2017. The Board also remanded several service connection claims for further review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for neck, shoulder, back, hip, and sleep apnea disabilities due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a nervous disorder and hypertension was granted. Service connection for hypertension is also granted, but the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed heart or cervical spine condition related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment, as he does not have a loss of use of one or both hands or feet, nor any other qualifying condition.

The Board dismissed all claims of service connection due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to September 27, 2011.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a lack of information on the competency of VA examiners who performed his C&P examinations. The AOJ is instructed to provide the Veteran with this information.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's cervical spine disability and has remanded the issue of service connection for right upper extremity (RUE) cervical radiculopathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a neck injury, finding that there was no evidence of such an injury during active service and insufficient medical evidence to establish a link between any current condition and service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and need for further development of evidence, including verification of periods of active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities have been reopened, but the Board has decided to remand these issues back to the RO for further consideration on their merits.

The Board denied service connection for back and neck disabilities, finding no evidence of such conditions during active duty or chronic symptoms with onset in service.

Service connection for rhinitis is granted. Service connection for a cervical spine disorder, right upper extremity radiculopathy as secondary to a cervical spine disorder, diverticulosis, and hypothyroidism are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's cervical spine disability and determine if additional functional loss occurs with repeated use or during flare-ups. The Veteran is seeking increased ratings for his service-connected cervical spine spondylosis.

The Board has remanded four issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims and rating for his left shoulder disability. The main focus is on whether the cervical spine disorder, numbness of the upper and lower extremities, and dizziness are aggravated by a pre-existing thoracic spine condition.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar-spine, cervical-spine, and left-knee disorders due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred during active service.

The Veteran's PTSD due to military sexual trauma is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision.,Service connection for low back disability (lumbar degenerative joint disease) is granted as secondary to service-connected degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine.