Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2021

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for hypertension is dismissed. The appeals for service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis, IVDS of the cervical spine with degenerative arthritis, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and major depressive disorder are all granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations in excess of the current ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar and cervical spine, as well as post-operative changes of the right knee, are being remanded due to a need for additional examinations.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a left ankle disability and remanded all other issues on appeal due to the need for additional development of the Veteran's service treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine disability and left knee strain are being remanded due to the need to obtain updated VA treatment records and any private medical records from her.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a neck disability, gastrointestinal disorders (including GERD), and a rating greater than 10 percent for low back strain due to incomplete evaluations and lack of recent medical opinions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's service treatment records and personnel records, as well as private treatment records. The issues of entitlement to service connection for lumbar spine disability and cervical spine disability are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical spine disability due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his headaches.

The Board dismissed all compensation claims under 38 U.S.C. � 1151 for various disabilities due to VA medical treatment and surgery on April 12, 2010, and May 2010.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to failure to address continuity of symptoms and aggravation by service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches was denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of headaches and the Veteran is not competent to attest to such a diagnosis. His cervical spine disability does not cause him to experience headaches, as evidenced by his treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed for the issues of service connection for left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Board has granted effective dates of February 22, 2018 for service connection of bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and cervical strain, but remanded for further development on initial disability ratings and service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's neck disability, finding that it is not related to his service or secondary to his service-connected right hip disability.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The right ear hearing loss and low back disorder/cervical spine disorder claims are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and incomplete records, specifically regarding the Veteran's neck disability. The claim will be reconsidered after obtaining additional medical opinions and private treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity. Service connection was denied for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, obstructive sleep apnea, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.,The Board found that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding these conditions, thus granting service connection based on the benefit of doubt.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and for further development of the Veteran's cervical and thoracolumbar strain disabilities, including addressing his July 2012 lay statement regarding pain radiating down into his legs.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and a migraine condition, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's in-service injuries.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to determine if the Veteran's back and neck disabilities are related to service, excluding any involvement of the motor vehicle accident on July 2, 2004.

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with the previous remand directives regarding the Veteran's cervical spine condition and left rotator cuff tear. Therefore, another remand is required to obtain new VA medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an upper back/cervical spine condition, a rating in excess of 10 percent for a low back disability, and TDIU due to unemployability. The Veteran's statements regarding his in-service injury are found credible, and there is evidence that his current conditions may be related to his service-connected disabilities.