Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, left ankle disability, psychiatric disorder (claimed as major depressive disorder), and a rating in excess of 10 percent for right ankle disability due to incomplete examination reports and outstanding SSA records.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% since July 21, 2017. Service connection for HPV and sleep apnea are granted. The remaining issues (neck disability, low back disability, seizures of the left/right side of the body, right ankle disability, migraine headaches, and tremors) remain pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot disability, acid reflux, neck disability, and heart disability due to incomplete information regarding her Reserve service duty status.

The Board has remanded the claims for proctalgia fugax, neck disability, left foot disability, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete verification of service dates. Further examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the 1151 claims and TDIU issue, as there are inconsistencies in the provided opinions regarding any additional disability to the Veteran's neck or left arm and hand. The case will be remanded for further clarification.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected cervical spine disability due to inadequate examination findings and need for further clarification of the severity of his condition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the ratings and service connection issues, resulting in their dismissal.

Service connection for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine has been granted.,The issue of service connection for right shoulder disorder, to include as secondary to service-connected degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, is being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the claimed disabilities, particularly whether they are related to a parachute jump accident during inactive duty training in July 1974.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and a neck disability have been granted. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD has been remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for neck, bilateral shoulder, and back disabilities due to inadequate VA opinions. The Veteran's sleep apnea claim remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including MDD, SSD, and agoraphobia with panic attacks, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches. Service connection was denied for psoriatic arthritis, fibromyalgia, cervical spine condition, low back condition, and sleep disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for back, neck, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to a lack of VA examination. The Veteran's lay testimony and personnel records suggest possible service connection.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate opinions from the January 2020 VA examiner. The effective date of service connection is denied as there was no prior claim for right foot tendonitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to outstanding VA treatment records, incomplete examination reports, and the need for additional examinations. The issues are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple issues have been dismissed due to the Veteran requesting a withdrawal of all appeal matters.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and cervical spine disability, to include as secondary to a service-connected lumbar spine disability, were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a cervical spine disability in service or within one year thereafter, and it was not caused by his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, and headaches disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and neck disabilities due to insufficient evidence regarding her military status on August 30, 2008. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right hip disorder, cervical spine disorder, and headaches are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The wrist and thumb disorders have also been remanded.