Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2022

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection of cervical and lumbar spine disorders due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's cervical spine disability and his service-connected right ankle or lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and the need for a VA examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for mild mid-cervical degenerative disease (claimed as neck disability) is being reviewed.

The Veteran's tinnitus was present during service and has a continuity of symptomatology since service. The claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, back disability, neck disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, right elbow disability, right shin disability (shin splints), and left shin disability (shin splints) are remanded as the VA examination opinion is inadequate.,Service connection for DM is remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine its onset during service or if it is related to any in-service exposure. Service connection for an eye disability is also remanded due to potential relationship with DM.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability is remanded as the Veteran's lay statements provide sufficient evidence of a nexus between his military police duties and his current mental health conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to consider lay statements regarding continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, cervical strain, lumbar spondylosis with degenerative disc disease, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremities, have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to May 29, 2013. The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease, headaches, and cervical spine degenerative disc disease. The evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether these disabilities are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral degenerative disc disease and spondylosis (back disability). The issues of service connection for a bilateral knee disability, lumbar radiculopathy, and cervical spine disability are dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records. The right shoulder condition, back conditions (lumbar spine and cervical), and left knee condition are all being reviewed as secondary to his service-connected right knee condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for urinary incontinence, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability are granted. The claim for sinusitis is dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of her appeal.,The Veteran's right ankle disability claim is remanded.

The Veteran's GERD with duodenitis, chronic strain and DJD of the left shoulder, left wrist scaphoid fracture ORIF with residuals, DJD and DDD of the cervical spine, DDD of the lumbosacral spine, onychomycosis (fungus infection of the feet), and hypertension have all been denied.,The Veteran's disability ratings for GERD with duodenitis, chronic strain and DJD of the left shoulder, left wrist scaphoid fracture ORIF with residuals, DJD and DDD of the cervical spine, DDD of the lumbosacral spine, onychomycosis (fungus infection of the feet), and hypertension have all been denied.,The Veteran's disability ratings for GERD with duodenitis, chronic strain and DJD of the left shoulder, left wrist scaphoid fracture ORIF with residuals, DJD and DDD of the cervical spine, DDD of the lumbosacral spine, onychomycosis (fungus infection of the feet), and hypertension have all been denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability aggravated his cervical spine disability and if obesity/weight gain was a substantial factor in causing or aggravating his cervical spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and reopening of previously denied claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a VA examination. The issues include whether her neck disability is secondary to her service-connected low back disability and/or right lower extremity disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck disability, migraine headaches, and left upper extremity nerve disability due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The VA must obtain additional records and provide a new opinion on causation.

The Veteran's current neck injury is not service-connected, and his claim for cervical radiculopathy from the same incident cannot be found to be a secondary service-connected injury. The evidence does not support direct service connection for his right hand injury.,Service connection was denied for all issues due to lack of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including depression, attention deficit, and memory loss, is denied as there is no evidence of its onset during service or a relationship to an in-service injury.,Service connection for residuals of cancerous cervical polyps is denied due to lack of evidence of its onset during service or a relationship to an in-service injury.,Service connection for hysterectomy associated with residuals of cancerous cervical polyps is denied as there is no secondary service connection available since the condition is not service-connected.,Service connection for athlete's feet is denied as there is no current disability found, and the Veteran has not provided evidence of a current diagnosis or treatment related to this claim.,The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted as her testimony supports an in-service onset and continuity of symptoms since discharge.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have made him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting SMC based on this need.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient consideration of his lay statements regarding in-service injuries and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine disability, liver disorder, diabetes mellitus, and Bell's palsy. The Veteran was not found to have a current disability related to his military service.,Special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate was also denied as the Veteran does not meet the criteria of having a single 100% rated disability or additional disabilities independently rated at 60% or more.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability and neck disability due to insufficient rationale in the previous decision regarding these conditions. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for dental issues, but this claim was not addressed by the Board.