Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2022

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, loss of feeling of the right hand disability, loss of feeling of the left hand disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and right ankle disability. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and active service.,The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disability, bilateral knees, bilateral ankles, and bilateral hands due to insufficient medical opinions in the record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to additional development and new medical opinions being required.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional records and examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disability prior to September 15, 2017. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to assess his current severity and pain on motion.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's cervical spine disability and service connection for her right upper extremity (RUE) median nerve radiculopathy. The decision also found that the Veteran's RUE median nerve radiculopathy is related to her cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's cervical and thoracolumbar spine disorders were initially rated at 10% prior to June 30, 2015. From that date until December 8, 2018, the Veteran was granted a higher rating of 30%. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's neck disability is rated at 20 percent, and the back disability is also rated at 20 percent.,Both conditions are denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left knee disability, neck disability, sleep apnea, sarcoidosis, renal disease with hypertension, and posttraumatic stress disorder, have caused him to be unemployable prior to December 20, 2019. The Board has remanded the case for further consideration by VA's Director of Compensation Service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various spinal and joint disabilities, including radiculopathy. The appeal is being returned to the AOJ for additional development of evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine has been granted.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for cervical spine with intervertebral disc syndrome has been granted.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for right ankle degenerative arthritis has been granted.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for left ankle degenerative arthritis has been granted.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis has been granted.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis has been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disability. The Veteran claims his current condition is related to a neck injury during service, but the medical evidence does not support this claim.

The Board has found that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is not related to his service, but may be secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The case is being remanded for further development and an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's left knee replacement is denied as there was no chronic in-service condition, and the current disability is not related to service.,Service connection for cervical spine disorder is denied due to lack of a chronic in-service condition or continuity of symptomatology post-service.,Service connection for lumbar spine disorder is denied because it did not manifest within the applicable presumptive period and there was no evidence of continuity of symptoms. The current disability is also not related to service.,Service connection for cervical radiculopathy is denied as there was no in-service injury or disease, and the current condition is not related to service.,Service connection for lumbar radiculopathy is denied because it did not manifest within the applicable presumptive period and there was no evidence of continuity of symptoms. The current disability is also not related to service.

The Veteran's cervical strain with degenerative joint disease is granted at a 30% evaluation for the period prior to November 13, 2019. For the period from November 13, 2019, an evaluation of 40% for right upper extremity radiculopathy and 30% for left upper extremity radiculopathy is granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for multi-level cervical spine degenerative arthritis, cervical stenosis status-post anterior cervical discectomy and fusion at C5, C6, C6-7, and myelomalacia, as well as right and left upper extremity radiculopathies secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining addendum opinions regarding his cervical spine disorder and low back condition with DJD. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease. The remaining issues of service connection for psychiatric disorder (PTSD), headaches, and TDIU are remanded due to the change in circumstances.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability started during service and continued to present, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient development regarding his potential exposure to hazardous materials during service, particularly AFFF and asbestos.