Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's death was not caused by VA treatment or care, and the service-connected conditions did not contribute to his death. The appeal for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1310 is remanded due to unclear causes of death.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen their claims of service connection for right shoulder, neck, low back, and right foot disabilities. The new evidence received since the July 2014 decision indicates that these disabilities are related to an automobile accident during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as secondary to his service-connected postoperative inguinal hernia. The VA examinations did not provide adequate opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is service-connected, but has remanded for further development regarding his low back disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings on several cervical, lumbar, and hip conditions. The Board has dismissed these claims as a result.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder and neck disabilities due to new evidence submitted since the April 2015 rating decision. The claims are now remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records from Fort Leonard Wood and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine disability, finding that there was no evidence showing it was incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his cervical spine disability, bilateral wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, and enucleation of the left eye with residual right eye strain due to new evidence received after a previous decision.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for further development due to the need to obtain additional medical records and ensure all relevant evidence is considered.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's cervical neck condition is related to his service-connected back disability and remands for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete compliance with previous remand instructions and insufficient medical opinions. The Veteran is required to undergo additional examinations by orthopedic spine surgeons and a VA psychiatrist.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease and right hand carpal tunnel syndrome, finding no evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service connection was also denied for rheumatoid arthritis of the right hand (claimed as right arm disability), with the Board concluding that there is insufficient evidence to support a nexus between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's right fifth metatarsal fracture remains rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for loss of cervical lordosis and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for PTSD, insomnia secondary to PTSD, TBI, and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine require additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have caused him to be unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment since April 1, 2007. His TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for lumbosacral strain and cervical strain with IVDS have been denied. The back disability is rated at 10 percent, while the neck disability was initially rated at 0 percent (noncompensable) from September 22, 2015 to September 27, 2019, and at 20 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's cervical spondylosis and bilateral shoulder conditions are remanded for further evaluation. The right shoulder condition is granted a 20% rating prior to February 26, 2020, but denied ratings in excess of 20%. The left shoulder condition is also granted a 20% rating prior to February 26, 2020, but denied ratings in excess of 20%.

The Veteran's cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities are not related to his period of service.,The Veteran's right arm, left arm, right hip, left hip, right knee, left knee, right leg, and left leg disabilities are not related to his period of service.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his right thumb De Quervain's tenosynovitis is dismissed. The Board grants service connection for a cervical spine (neck disability), but denies service connection for bilateral upper extremity conditions, gastrointestinal disability, urethritis, and right ankle disability. Service connection for chest pain is also denied.