Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2021

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including OSA, Chiari I malformation with cervical syrinx, cervical DDD, bilateral knee disabilities, right elbow disability, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left wrist disability, and bilateral shoulder disabilities. The decision found that the Veteran's current diagnoses were not incurred in service or related to his service-connected bronchial asthma.

Your appeal has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to decide your claims now.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development and to obtain adequate medical opinions. The Veteran's representative questioned the competency of previous VA examiners, and the appeal is being remanded due to inadequate examination reports.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the severity of his service-connected left elbow disability and to address claims for secondary service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to July 5, 2012.

The Board denied service connection for a back condition, neck condition, and cervical radiculopathy as there was no evidence of chronic disability in service or within one year following discharge.,There is no indication that the Veteran's current spine and radicular disorders are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for dyslipidemia is denied as it is not a disability under VA law and regulations.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine strain, low back pain, degenerative joint diseases of the shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, ankles, and feet, allergic rhinitis, peptic ulcer, diverticulosis, hiatal hernia, erectile dysfunction, benign prostate hyperplasia, memory disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and major depression are remanded for further development.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a total disability rating due to unemployability (TDIU) is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the above-mentioned issues.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and cervical spine disability are rated, with the cervical spine receiving a 20% rating effective January 30, 2020. The diabetes is rated at 20%. The cervical spine disability was previously rated at 10%, but now receives a 20% rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral shoulder disability and back or neck disability due to additional development being necessary, including obtaining a new VA examination.

The Veteran's headaches are granted as secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability.,Service connection for tinnitus is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence and need further development.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted as service-connected, but he does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The TDIU claim is granted.,The Veteran has multiple service-connected disabilities that render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for left shoulder, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disabilities due to insufficient evidence in their favor. The VA examiner is required to provide opinions on whether these conditions are related to service or had their onset during service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a neck or cervical spine disorder and sleeping problems, including on account of obstructive sleep apnea due to incomplete development in prior remands.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches. The issues of service connection for gastroesophageal disease (GERD), upper back and cervical spine disability, and sinusitis and rhinitis are remanded.

The Board has granted a TDIU from January 31, 2011 until May 8, 2017 due to the combined effect of service-connected disabilities preventing the Veteran from securing or following gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher disability rating for his lumbar spine disability and service connection for his neck disability, due to inadequate examinations in prior decisions.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine with DDD secondary to right shoulder disability and sleep apnea due to new evidence being submitted after the initial SSOC was issued.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his left shoulder disability and other conditions, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to the severity of his disabilities. The Board found that he was unemployable from performing all forms of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.