Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2021

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is related to service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and headaches due to lack of timely notice of disagreement.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral and cervical spine disabilities, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including back disability, neck disability, right hip disability, sleep disability (including sleep apnea), hypertension, migraines, and TBI. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a direct link between these conditions and his time in service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of a cervical spine disability is denied as there was no formal or informal claim prior to August 6, 2020.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining private treatment records from his current provider and VA examinations for his service-connected conditions. The TDIU claim is also remanded as proper VCAA notice must be provided.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in his inability to secure and maintain employment consistent with his occupational history, leading to a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his inability to perform daily activities such as feeding, dressing, bathing, and attending to personal hygiene needs. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete evidence in his file, specifically missing treatment records from VA Medical Center, Jacksonville and possibly Gainesville.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was granted a 30% rating since August 17, 2021. Prior to that date, he received a 20% rating.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for a neck disability, as it is unclear whether the Veteran's current neck condition is related to his service-connected back disability. The VA needs to obtain an updated medical opinion that addresses all relevant evidence and provides a clear rationale for its conclusions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to insufficient rationale in previous VA opinions. The Veteran's cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine disabilities are related to motor vehicle accidents since service, but not directly to an in-service incident. The chronic sinus condition is related to a May 2020 diagnosis, which may be outside the period of active service. The left lower extremity nerve condition and left foot condition are linked to a lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a left knee disability and an initial rating higher than 20 percent for a cervical spine disability. The remaining issues have been remanded as well.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's back disability is service-connected. The claims for right knee, left knee, and neck disabilities are remanded due to incomplete development.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current cervical spine disability, and therefore cannot grant service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbosacral or cervical spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, right wrist disorder, and right ankle disorder due to secondary service-connected right knee disability. The case is being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and inadequate examinations. The Veteran's conditions of fatigue, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, and cervical myositis are being reviewed.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection due to potential missing VA treatment records and other factors.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, but has remanded both the back and neck disability claims due to the need for additional development.