Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2022

The appeal to reopen service connection for a back disability is granted. Service connection for Crohn's disease is denied, and the Veteran meets the criteria for nonservice-connected pension based on income and net worth prior to October 1, 2017.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was previously rated at 20 percent prior to February 5, 2021. Since then, the evidence does not show that his condition warrants a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete or unclear range of motion measurements in her cervical spine and SI joint and lumbar facet dysfunction. The Veteran is also asked to complete a VA Form 21-4192 regarding her employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, bilateral plantar fascitis, cervical spine disorder, and asthma are remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a new opinion regarding whether his cervical spine disability is secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine and/or bilateral foot disabilities.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 30% rating for allergic rhinitis, effective June 8, 2015. The increased rating claim for cervical strain with degenerative changes and TDIU claim are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for earlier effective date for tinnitus, additional compensation for a helpless child, and service connection for mitral valve prolapse, shin splints, right shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, IBS, and cervical spine disability has been dismissed.,Service connection was denied for right shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, and IBS due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to service.

The Board has granted service connection for congenital scoliosis with kyphosis thoracic, finding that the Veteran's condition is at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury. Service connection was denied for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine due to lack of evidence showing a chronic disability during service or continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination and treatment records, requiring a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's cervical spine disability is related to his active service.

The Veteran's hypertensive heart disease is granted as secondary to his service-connected hypertension. The claim for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine prior to December 23, 2019 remains denied. Service connection for a cervical spine disability, related to a service-connected lumbar spine disability, is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination regarding his dental disorder, left ankle disorder, lumbar spine disorders, cervical spine disorders, inguinal hernia, cauda equina syndrome, shoulder disorders, radiculopathy, neurogenic bladder, and erectile dysfunction.

Service connection is granted for myofascial pain of the cervical spine, thoracic spine, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy. Service connection remains pending for left lower extremity radiculopathy and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea, right ankle disorder, IBS, and hypertension have been granted. The claim for cervical radiculitis was denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding increased ratings for several disabilities and service connection claims, including for headaches, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, a left knee condition, and bilateral hearing loss. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board has remanded the claims for evaluation of service-connected cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities due to changes in symptoms since the last VA examination, including new seizures related to the conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his cervical spine and radiculopathy of the right upper extremity due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran will need new VA examinations to assess the severity of his disabilities.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for back and neck disabilities due to insufficient analysis regarding the Veteran's lay statements and medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder did not manifest during his periods of active service and is not otherwise related to service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and headache disorder. The Veteran is currently rated 10 percent for chronic left epididymitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that there is no evidence of chronic disease during or within one year after service and insufficient continuity of symptomatology to establish service connection.