Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for back disability, neck disability, and hypertension prior to February 25, 2022 are denied.,There is no longer an issue of fact or law before the Board pertaining to whether the Veteran is entitled to a rating in excess of 40 percent for back disability from February 25, 2022. The claims are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine, thoracic spine, left ankle, right ankle, and right foot disorders due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of groin surgery, headache disability, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine have been granted.,Left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is also granted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been withdrawn. The Board has also remanded several issues related to his right ankle, cervical spine, left hip, left knee, and bilateral foot disabilities.

The appeal for increased ratings and effective date is remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran needs new VA examinations to assess the severity of his cervical spine disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is being remanded for a new medical opinion to determine if it is related to service or his service-connected hepatitis C. The issues of higher initial ratings for various joint disabilities and radiculopathy are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes have been granted. The remaining issues, including left hip strain, right knee strain, and chronic disability of the right leg, are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed bilateral foot disability, and thus denied service connection for this condition. The remaining issues of neck, ankle, knee, and shoulder disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's left and right knee osteoarthritis, thoracolumbar spine DJD and strain, and cervical spine DJD have been granted service connection. The initial rating for CFS has also been increased to 60 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions. The Veteran is required to provide additional evidence, including treatment records, and undergo examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, excluding sarcoidosis, have rendered him unable to perform daily activities without assistance. He is granted SMC(l) based on aid and attendance from August 2, 2005, to August 16, 2010, as well as SMC(o) and SMC(r)(1).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various foot, hip, wrist, hand, leg, shoulder, spine, and hearing loss disabilities due to incomplete information in the record. The Veteran is required to provide authorization for VA to obtain his private treatment records and undergo examinations to determine if any of these conditions are related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's headache disorders, including tension headaches and migraines, are found to be related to his service. His cervical spine disorder is not considered to be directly related to his service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and increased rating for tinnitus, as well as his cervical spine disability, is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has found that there have been deficiencies in the previous remand directives and requires further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine and bilateral shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for psychiatric disorders, cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, sciatic nerve disorder, right knee disorder, and hepatitis C have all been denied as the evidence does not support a finding of in-service onset or etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability and a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine, skin, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities. However, these claims are still pending as they have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right and left upper extremity radiculopathy, lumbosacral strain, cervical spine disability with degenerative disc disease, and bone spur removal from the left foot, are being remanded for further evaluation due to recent worsening of symptoms.