Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected acne is remanded due to the need for additional VA medical records.,The issue of entitlement to a TDIU prior to June 24, 2020, is also remanded as it may be impacted by the grant of service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's cervical spine disability and his in-service altercation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension, keratosis (claimed as skin condition), a skin disability, and a neck disability due to exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an opinion regarding the service connection of depression.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for a bilateral foot disorder and cervical spine disability due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the Veteran's specific symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder, combined with other service-connected disabilities, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from March 28, 2015. Therefore, the claim for SMC based on housebound status is granted as of that date.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder, left shoulder, neck, and lower back disabilities, finding that these conditions are more likely than not related to his military service.

The Board has denied a separate compensable rating for right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy as it would result in impermissible pyramiding.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right shoulder, elbow, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disabilities have been denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service, and the current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right wrist, cervical and lumbar spine disorders, and a service-connected mental disorder, precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment throughout the appeal period. The claim for TDIU is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability was not incurred or aggravated by active service and is not related to a service-connected condition. The claim for secondary service connection due to obesity is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disorder and right upper extremity disorder. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional medical opinions from a VA examiner or another suitably qualified individual.

The Board has determined that the AOJ did not substantially comply with the May 2021 remand directives and thus, a remand is necessary to obtain adequate opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed bilateral knee conditions.,Additionally, the AOJ must follow its established procedures for requesting an advisory opinion furnished by a medical school, university, or clinic on remand.

The Board has denied service connection for left knee, right knee, and right wrist disabilities. The claims for a skin disability of the face and scalp and neck disability are remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for a neck disability and remanded the issue of service connection for a right knee disability.,For the right knee disability, the Board found that there is insufficient evidence to determine if it is caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluation and service connection have been dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal of these appeals prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected cervical spine disability is remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous VA examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities were granted, but an effective date earlier than January 13, 2017 is denied.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding service connection for various conditions, including headaches, a left hip condition, syrinx cervical spine (tethered spinal cord), hyperactive reflexes and nerve condition/dysfunction/syringohydromyelia, and sleep apnea.