Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2022

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that the Veteran's reported neck pain in service was not chronic and did not lead to current disability. The Board also found that arthritis of the cervical spine did not manifest within a presumptive period.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding the veteran's claims for service connection of low back and neck disabilities due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 10 percent and 20 percent, respectively, for his lumbar strain and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine. The evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar and cervical spine disabilities rendered him incapable of obtaining and maintaining gainful employment prior to January 19, 2017.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to new evidence provided by the Veteran during a hearing. The VA will obtain and review all relevant treatment records, conduct examinations, and determine the current severity of the Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate examination and the need for further consideration of a service treatment record from March 4, 1966.

The Veteran's neck strain and DDD, cervical spine, claims have been reopened. The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to his service-connected motor vehicle accident. However, the upper back condition claim remains remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's cervical spine DDD disability prior to August 6, 2018, was granted an increased rating of 30 percent. The disability manifested with limited range of motion (flexion to 15 degrees or less), but not in unfavorable ankylosis.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete records and insufficient information regarding employment history.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for Meniere's disease, otitis media, and a peripheral vestibular disorder. The claims for thoracolumbar spine condition, cervical spine condition, and bilateral upper extremity nerve impairment were granted with reopening of the latter two.

The Veteran's bilateral eye condition is not service-connected, and her cervical spine disability was rated at 20% prior to June 23, 2021, but the rating for this condition has been increased to 40% after that date.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was granted a 20 percent evaluation prior to November 9, 2021. From November 9, 2021 onwards, the Veteran is not entitled to an increased rating.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current diagnosis and his active-duty service.,Service connection was also denied for a cervical spine condition claimed as secondary to his right knee disability. The Board found insufficient medical evidence linking this condition to service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hemorrhoids, right knee disability, lumbosacral spine disability, cervical spine disability, and right lower extremity femoral radiculopathy. The claims are being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing adequate examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and bilateral shoulder disorders due to insufficient etiological opinions in the VA examination reports. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disability due to incomplete compliance with previous remand instructions and the need for an additional medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the claims. The remaining issues are remanded for further examination and evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, finding that it is not related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and is more likely due to a non-service-related injury in 2007.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition is rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations.,Prior to January 8, 2022, his left upper extremity radiculopathy was rated at 20 percent. From January 8, 2022, it was rated at 30 percent.,His right upper extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 40 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and the need to obtain additional medical records. The issues include lumbar spine, cervical spine, chest keloid, right leg keloid, left foot disorder, and bilateral pes planus.