Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2021

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck and left knee disabilities, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his active service or any service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of cervical spine, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were related to an in-service injury or disease.,The VA examinations confirmed the presence of current cervical spine, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities but found no medical evidence linking them to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep disorder diagnosed as insomnia has been granted.,Service connection is being remanded for the Veteran's claims of cervical spine disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, bilateral foot disability, bilateral eye disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and low back disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for cervical spine and right knee disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disease within one year of discharge from active duty or continuity of symptoms since separation. The Board also found that the Veteran did not have a preexisting right knee disability at the time of his entrance into service.

The Veteran is granted SMC based on aid and attendance from January 30, 2019 onward. The issue of entitlement to SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound benefits from July 12, 2011 to January 29, 2019 is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for SMC T (based on a higher level of SMC under subsection (t)) has been reasonably raised by the record. The issue of entitlement to SMC based on aid and attendance from July 12, 2011 to January 29, 2019 is remanded.,The earlier effective date for radiculopathy of the upper extremities prior to February 9, 2021 remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine, left ankle, right ankle, and left wrist disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Board has determined that there is clear and unmistakable evidence showing the Veteran's cervical spine condition existed prior to service and was not aggravated by his military service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a cervical spine condition is denied.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a cervical spine disability, bilateral flatfoot, and bilateral knee disabilities due to incomplete or inadequate examination reports.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and cervical spine, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to active service.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and cervical spine, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip, right hip, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The examiner is requested to provide addendum opinions addressing the nature and etiology of these disabilities in relation to service.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's cervical spine disorder and service-connected conditions, as well as the nature of his headaches, left hand, and right hand disorders. Further development is needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including cervical spine, lumbar spine, right arm, right ankle, left ankle, and right foot disabilities. The case is being returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for headaches as secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability, finding that the Veteran's current headaches are caused by his neck pain.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, right hip disability, and left hip disability. The Veteran's claims were based on his contention that he developed these disabilities due to injuries sustained during active duty.,Service connection was not granted as the evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease resulting in current disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and ratings for various disabilities have been dismissed as the Veteran requested to withdraw his appeals.

The Board has remanded the cases for issuance of a statement of the case (SOC) addressing whether an effective date prior to September 7, 2011 and an effective date other than June 1, 2015 are warranted for the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine strain and traumatic compression fracture, respectively.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims for various conditions, including neck and back issues, peripheral neuropathies, and traumatic brain injury. The Veteran's death during the appeal process means that no further action can be taken on these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to an in-service injury or event.