Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to his failure to attend VA examinations and the need for additional private treatment records.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with its October 2019 remand directives and has therefore ordered the claims to be remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case for an additional opinion from a medical examiner regarding whether the Veteran's cervical spine disability is related to his military service. The appeal will be reconsidered after this additional review.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative joint disease is rated at 20 percent, and his headaches are rated at 30 percent effective April 20, 2021. The appeal for higher ratings remains denied.

The Veteran's miscarriage is not related to her service at Camp Lejeune, and the Board denied this claim.,The Veteran's cervical cancer was not caused by exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Board found that other factors such as aging process and HPV were more likely causes of her condition.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back and neck disabilities, finding that these conditions are related to in-service motor vehicle accidents.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to change his VR&E training program from obtaining an associate degree in early childhood development to obtaining a CDA certificate, as this is more feasible given his service-connected disabilities and remaining entitlement.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck disability, left wrist disability, and right wrist disability due to secondary service-connected conditions. The claims will be reviewed with a focus on whether these disabilities are related to his military service or other service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus, lumbar spine disability, left hip disability (trochanteric pain syndrome), cervical spine disability, right wrist disability, and left and right ankle sprains are all granted service connection.,There is no effective date assigned for any of the conditions as they were found to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for new evaluations of the Veteran's cervical strain, right knee flexion, and right wrist synovitis conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine was denied, as the current disability picture does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development and consideration, including obtaining in-service and post-service medical records and providing a new VA examination to address continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and compensation under 38 U.S.C. §1151 for a neck disability, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding the onset of these conditions.

The Veteran's cervical and thoracolumbar spine conditions were evaluated, with the Board finding that additional evidence is needed to determine appropriate ratings for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability, finding that his current cervical spine disorders are proximately due to his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is service connected. However, due to conflicting medical opinions and lack of a VA examination for his cervical spine disability, the case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further examination.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a variety of disabilities, including migraine headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, joint pain, muscle cramps, skin disability, memory loss, bilateral hand disability, cervical spine disability, and an undiagnosed illness.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's failure to complete a VA Form 21-8940, which is necessary for his TDIU claim. The AOJ must provide him with the form and assist in obtaining updated treatment records.

The Board has found that further development is necessary before the Board can properly adjudicate the claims, including obtaining outstanding treatment records and scheduling VA examinations for the Veteran's disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's neck disability, including a lack of VA and private treatment records. The Veteran is also asked to provide information about his medical providers for these services.