Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his cervical spine disability was denied. His service-connected migraines were granted.

The Veteran's hypertension, erectile dysfunction, back disability, and neck disability were not incurred or aggravated by service, including exposure to Agent Orange.,Service connection was denied for all four conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of information regarding the Veteran's employment status, specifically missing forms for his application for increased compensation based on unemployability and requests for verification from his prior employers. The Veteran needs to complete these forms and provide the requested information.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability, left and right shoulder disabilities, type II diabetes mellitus, bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and TDIU due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical spine disability and left elbow disability, including ulnar nerve entrapment (cubital tunnel syndrome), due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for thoracic spine DDD, cervical spine DDD, and headaches due to inadequate VA examination reports. Further development is needed to comply with VA's duty to assist in fully developing the facts and evidence concerning these claims.

The Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, Raynaud's syndrome, right knee meniscectomy, left knee replacement, and cervical spine disorder are all granted as service-connected.,Service connection for the left shoulder disorder is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Board has denied service connection for lumbosacral spine disability, cervical spine disability, and right elbow disability as the evidence does not support a link between these conditions and service.,Service connection was denied because there is no evidence of current disabilities related to service or within any applicable presumptive period.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation of his PTSD, left knee meniscal tear, and cervical spine disability. The TDIU issue remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected cervical spine disability was denied as the evidence did not show a factually ascertainable increase in severity of the disability within one year prior to the receipt of his August 20, 2013, claim.

The Board has granted DIC benefits based on service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that his neck and back disabilities are causally related to his military service. The Board also found that the Veteran’s cause of death is related to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the ratings for cervical spine disability and hypertension prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a new medical examination to determine if his current neck disability is related to an in-service injury, specifically a documented fall and resultant cervical sprain during service. The VA examination obtained did not substantially comply with the prior remand instructions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure of the Veteran to return a VA Form 21-8940, which is necessary for the adjudication of the TDIU claim. The matter will be reconsidered after receipt of this form.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities because he did not complete and submit the necessary application form, and there was no evidence showing that his service-connected conditions rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal and psychiatric conditions due to incomplete development of records from his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical spine disability and associated radiculopathy of the right upper extremity are being remanded due to inadequate examinations in previous evaluations. The VA is required to obtain new examinations that comply with the requirements set forth by Correia, DeLuca, and Sharp.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disability, a higher rating for low back disability, and TDIU due to outstanding treatment records and further VA medical assessment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, including degenerative arthritis, and to include as secondary to the service-connected lumbar spine disability. The Board found that there was no evidence of a disease or injury in service, and concluded that the current cervical spine disability is not related to service.

The Veteran's right thigh scar, headaches, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and neck disability have been granted increased ratings. The Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy and peripheral vestibular disease remain denied. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has also been remanded.