Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeals for an enlarged prostate and a right foot disability have been withdrawn.,Service connection has been granted for headaches. The Board found that the Veteran's current headaches began during his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting the regulatory requirements.,Service connection for hypertension was denied due to lack of in-service diagnosis and failure to show continuity of symptomatology within one year after separation from service. The VA opinion found that exposure to chemicals at George AFB did not cause the Veteran's hypertension.,The claim for service connection for a back disability was denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or chronic condition, and the VA opinion found that the Veteran's current condition is more likely related to degenerative changes rather than her period of active service.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his conditions are not rated higher than the current assigned ratings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete examinations, missing records, and inextricably intertwined issues. The Veteran will need new examinations for his left knee, cervical spine, left shoulder, and bilateral radiculopathy of the upper extremities.

The Veteran's cervical strain with degenerative arthritis and disc disease is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and evaluation.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for neck disability and remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, sleep disability, and right leg disability. Additional evidence is needed to support these claims.

The Veteran's request to continue the appeal of service connection for a left hand disability and an initial rating higher than 10 percent for tinnitus was withdrawn during the October 2021 Board hearing.,A claim to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted, as new evidence related to current bilateral hearing loss has been submitted.

The Veteran's left knee condition is granted service connection. The cervical spine disorder and bilateral ulnar neuropathy are remanded for further review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU due to insufficient evidence regarding his employment history during the appeal period, despite meeting the schedular requirements for a TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine degenerative changes as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected chronic lumbosacral spine strain.

The Board has remanded the claims for a cervical spine disability and left upper extremity radiculopathy as secondary to a cervical spine disability due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease is granted a 30 percent rating prior to November 6, 2019. From August 1, 2018, the Veteran is granted TDIU.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been remanded due to the need for further development and examination.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease and associated radiculopathy are currently rated at 30 percent. The Board has remanded the case to consider whether separate ratings for left upper extremity radiculopathy should be granted, as well as secondary service connection for any related conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a thoracic spine condition and right leg radiculopathy, but has remanded these issues along with others to obtain additional evidence and provide further examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for back, neck, and left knee disabilities due to a lack of VA examinations. The Veteran's assertions include that parachute jumps in service caused his current disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating and TDIU related to his cervical spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's TDIU claim from August 1, 2014 is granted. The increased rating claims for cervical spine and lumbar spine conditions are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's secondary service connection claim for cervical radiculopathy is granted, and the rating for his service-connected cervical strain is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back and cervical spine disorders due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran's lay statements of having pain since active service are not addressed by the VA examiner.