Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2022

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his active duty service. The Board also found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that his current condition is at least as likely as not related to his military training, including parachute jumps. The decision also grants secondary service connection for a cervical spine disability, but does so based on direct service connection rather than secondary.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD, a neck disability, and a headache disability. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was also granted as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with vertebral fracture.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, arthritis (other than of the back or neck), a neck disability, a low back disability, and a psychiatric disability due to incomplete development and potential errors in medical opinions. The claims will be further developed to include verification of qualifying service periods and comprehensive examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability (DDD) and cervical spine disability (DDJ, DDD), finding that these conditions were incurred in service. The appeal is now resolved.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding service connection and TDIU issues. The right ankle disability has been granted a 20% rating, but the other claims remain pending.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, including subluxation and neck stiffness, is granted on an aggravation basis. Service connection for cervicogenic headaches is also granted. The claims for myalgia and lumbar spine disability are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for entitlement to service connection for a right foot disability and a cervical spine disability due to the lack of issuance of a statement of the case.

The Board has granted service connection for DDD of the cervical spine with congenital stenosis, but has remanded the issues regarding an unspecified anxiety disorder and PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation between May 20, 2009 and April 2, 2010.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to inadequate medical opinions provided in previous examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have increased in severity, and he is being asked to provide additional evidence or examinations to determine the current severity of his disabilities.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbosacral spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and COPD have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, and acquired psychiatric disorder are all granted service connection. The Board found that the Veteran had a current diagnosis of these conditions and there was sufficient evidence to establish a link between his active duty service and each condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities combined to prevent him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment from December 24, 2014, to March 21, 2021. The Board granted a TDIU for this period.

The Veteran's representative withdrew the appeal regarding his claim for increased ratings for service-connected cervical strain, leading to its dismissal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for neck disability, left knee disability, left lower extremity disorder (to include as due to stroke), and seizure disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence showing a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for service connection and initial ratings for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine with disc herniation at L4-5 and L5-S1, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for new VA examinations and additional records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical disability, heart disability, and skin disability. The evidence did not support the Veteran's assertions of in-service injury or exposure to herbicides.