Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2022

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine strain, finding that his current diagnosis is related to symptoms he reported during and after active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck disability and bilateral foot disability due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives regarding obtaining VA treatment records and service treatment records. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of her cervical spine disability is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to account for flare-ups and lay statements.

The Veteran's TDIU claim has been granted. The cervical and lumbar spine disability ratings have been remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to evaluate her service-connected neck disability and addressing her claims for increased evaluations of her restless legs syndrome and right hip bursitis.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and a left shoulder disability, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's use of crutches during service.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claims can be adjudicated. The AOJ should obtain copies of VA treatment records for the Veteran's disabilities from October 2019 to the present, verify all active duty for training and inactive duty training dates for alleged service, and obtain his complete service treatment records. A VA examination must also be scheduled for the Veteran regarding his left shoulder disability, migraine headaches, and cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The Board remanded the cases for neck disability and back disability, as well as right foot disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete examinations and other procedural issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (insomnia, low back injury residuals, right upper extremity radiculopathy, cervical spine injury residuals, and tinnitus) meet the criteria for a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability due to service connected disabilities. The Veteran is also eligible for TDIU benefits.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for cervical and thoracic spine spondylosis are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination to assess the severity of his symptoms, including during flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's hypertension is granted, but his left arm and fingers numbness as well as cervical spine disability are still pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical examinations and potential incarceration issues.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability, right shoulder disability, and neck disability are remanded for further examination and opinion. The issues of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the thoracolumbar spine disability, service connection for a right shoulder disability as secondary to the lumbar spine disability, and service connection for a neck disability as secondary to the lumbar spine disability are also remanded.

The Veteran's right ankle condition was granted an initial rating of 10 percent, but no higher. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating based on marked limitation of motion. Service connection for his right shoulder, cervical spine, and lumbar spine conditions were remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking the current conditions to service, including any in-service injury or disease. The Veteran's assertions of continuity of symptoms since service were not credible given the absence of relevant medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for thoracolumbar spine disability and cervical spine disability due to inadequate VA examinations in previous decisions. The cases are now back with the RO for new VA examinations and medical opinions addressing the nature and etiology of the disabilities, including consideration of the Veteran's lay statements.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding his neck disability, muscle spasms of the calves, sleep apnea, and chronic pain. The VA will obtain any outstanding records and schedule the Veteran for a comprehensive examination to determine if these conditions are related to his military service or other factors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee and nerve conditions, including as secondary to a low back condition. The VA is required to obtain additional medical records and determine if there was any aggravation of pre-existing conditions during active duty.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete VA examination reports and the need for an addendum opinion addressing all diagnosed neurological disorders in the upper and lower extremities.