Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to outstanding private treatment records, a newly raised theory of claim regarding open burning of documents, and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examination opinions and lack of access to certain records. The cases are now pending further review.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding service connection for a left knee disorder and secondary service connection for cervical spine disability. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disorder is also remanded.

The Veteran's cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities are granted service connection based on direct evidence of in-service injury. The respiratory disability is granted service connection due to the PACT Act presumption for Gulf War Veterans exposed to fine particulate matter.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar disc degeneration, cervical strain, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and right hip and pelvic pain due to procedural issues with the Notice of Disagreement form.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for chronic bronchitis, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, bilateral knee disability, and left ankle disability due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran will be provided a new examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of a neck disability and bilateral CTS, as these conditions were previously granted by the RO. The right shoulder disability claim is denied, and a TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and increased ratings has been resolved. The right wrist disability was dismissed, the left elbow disability was denied, and the right ankle and neck disabilities were granted with specific rating criteria. The left ankle and right ankle scar disabilities remain denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for neck, back, and left ankle disabilities due to inadequate development in previous examinations.

The Board has determined that the remand is necessary due to lack of substantial compliance with prior directives and issues a new decision on the merits. The Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical strain is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine strain, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right elbow epicondylitis, left elbow epicondylitis, and tinnitus do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment due to his disabilities. The Board denied the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's cervical spine disability is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral pes planus and lumbar spine disabilities. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his obesity, which in turn led to his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and neck disabilities due to conflicting medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected osteochondritis (claimed as chest pain) is granted a 10 percent disability rating. Service connection for the cervical and lumbar spine disorder, which is not related to his right hip/thigh condition, is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with spinal stenosis and intervertebral disc syndrome, as well as a cervical spine disability. The conditions are found to be related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for a right hip disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability. The issues of service connection for cervical, lumbar, and thoracic spine disorders including ankylosing spondylitis are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. Service connection for PTSD is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a cervical spine disability and an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, alcohol use disorder, and tobacco use disorder. The Veteran's testimony suggests that his sleep apnea is related to his mental health condition.,The heart disability issue will be addressed in conjunction with the other claims as they are interrelated.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a cervical spine disability has been dismissed as he requested to withdraw the appeal.