Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2021

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for his right shoulder, cervical spine, and right hand conditions. The Board found that these conditions are not related to any incident or injury during active service.

The Board has remanded the cases of cervical spine with degenerative disc disease and sleep apnea due to insufficient examination findings. The Veteran's claims for secondary service connection need further evaluation, as well as a determination on whether his sleep apnea is related to service.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the lumbosacral spine and cervical spine, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disability present during or within one year after active duty, and that current DJD is not otherwise causally related to service.

The Veteran's cervical spine DJD, RUE radiculopathy, and LUE radiculopathy were evaluated. The initial rating for cervical spine DJD was denied prior to May 6, 2017, but granted thereafter at a 30% rating. An increased rating of 40% was granted for RUE radiculopathy from November 21, 2019, and an initial 30% rating was granted for LUE radiculopathy from the same date.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to conflicting medical opinions regarding service connection for allergic rhinitis, cervical strain, and chronic fatigue syndrome.,For each issue, a new medical opinion is needed to determine if there is at least a 50% probability that the condition is related to service or caused by military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disability, specifically her September 2001 injury during ACDUTRA. The VA needs to obtain additional medical records and provide an updated opinion on whether the Veteran's current cervical spine disability is related to service.

The Veteran's increased rating for migraine headaches is granted, with a disability rating of 50 percent.,Service connection for right weak foot and left weak foot are denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating and an earlier effective date for his cervical spine disability was denied. The Board found that there was no intent to apply for benefits prior to October 20, 2014, and the medical evidence did not support an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected cervical strain is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and arranging for an addendum opinion from the January 2020 VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical and lumbar spine is related to his active service.

The Board denied service connection for neck, right shoulder, and left shoulder disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right hand disability.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a cervical spine disability due to inadequate opinions and unclear reasoning regarding the etiology of the condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and cervical strain, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings based on the results of audiometric evaluations and physical examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to a motor vehicle accident (MVA) while in service.

The Veteran's current hypertension had its clinical onset during her period of active duty service, and the Board finds that service connection for hypertension is warranted.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is restored to a 40 percent rating effective June 1, 2018. The Veteran's headache and acquired psychiatric disabilities are each granted increased ratings of 50 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70% rating from December 5, 2012 to September 8, 2015. The VA has remanded the cases for cervical disorder, low back disorder, and blood disorder claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is related to his military service, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete review of the record by the VA examiner who previously provided opinions on the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disability. The Veteran is requested to provide additional medical records and for a new opinion from another qualified examiner.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for low back, cervical spine, and left knee disabilities due to in-service motor vehicle accident (MVA). The Veteran's claims are referred for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of her current disabilities.