Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than April 10, 2018 for the grant of service connection for various conditions have been denied.,Effective dates cannot be established before the date of separation from active duty or the date entitlement arose if within one year.

The Board denied the reopening of a claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to establish that the Veteran's neck disorder was aggravated by an accident during active duty training.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete or insufficient examinations, and because the issues are inextricably intertwined with the cervical spine disability.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a left leg stress fracture, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and cervical spine surgery due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active duty or Reserve service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of mycobacterium tuberculosis, an increased rating for tension headaches, and initial ratings for cervical spine intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) and scars post-lumbar spine surgery. The appeals were all denied as there was no current disability found in each case.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and unclear diagnoses. The Veteran will need to undergo additional VA examinations to clarify his conditions and determine their relationship to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability, bilateral shoulder disability, depression, and erectile dysfunction. The appeals were based on the Veteran's contention that these conditions developed due to his in-service physical demands.

The Board has remanded the cases for a new VA examination to address the Veteran's claims of neck and back disabilities, as the previous opinions were based on insufficient consideration of the lay evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right shoulder and neck disabilities, including as secondary to a service-connected low back disability. The remand is due to inadequate consideration of the significance of a reported injury in service and the question of secondary service connection on an aggravation basis.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disorder and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for arthritis of the cervical spine, right shoulder, hands, and left knee, as well as the claims for a compensable evaluation for left ear hearing loss and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus. The appellant withdrew their appeal prior to the decision being finalized.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, as his manifestations of any additional claimed acquired psychiatric disability are not clearly distinguishable from his service-connected PTSD. The appeal is remanded for further development on several orthopedic issues.

The Veteran's low back and cervical spine disabilities with radiculopathy are granted as they are related to service.,Tinnitus is also granted, attributed to noise exposure during active service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for cervical spine and bilateral shoulder disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions provided in previous decisions.

The Veteran's thoracic and cervical spine DDD are granted as service connected. The Veteran's headaches, which are secondary to the spinal conditions, are also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability and radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities secondary to a cervical spine disability due to inadequate medical opinions. The case is now returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher ratings for costochondritis and lumbar spine disability due to potential interference with employment. The Veteran's absences from work and leave taken under FMLA have been noted.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for cervical spine disability and headaches due to inadequate medical opinions in previous VA examinations. The Veteran's claims are not yet resolved.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of various spinal and extremity disabilities due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, mid to low back disability, and upper back and neck disability. The claim for service connection for a right knee injury is being remanded due to inadequate VA examination and failure to obtain relevant medical records.