Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his active duty and have continued since then.

Service connection is granted for a left elbow disability and consequent left elbow and forearm scar.,Service connection is denied for an acquired psychiatric disorder, TBI, left upper extremity radiculopathy, lumbar spine disability, or cervical spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability, headaches, right and left upper extremity radiculopathy due to in-service head trauma. An addendum VA medical opinion is needed to address the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to March 21, 2011.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative joint and disc disease of the cervical spine was granted, with the Board finding that his current disability is at least as likely as not related to in-service injury.,Secondary service connection for radiculopathy of the left upper extremity was also granted, with the Board concluding that it is at least as likely as not caused by his newly service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for low back disability and cervical spine disability due to new evidence showing worsening of these conditions. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it was recently raised by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities due to inadequate previous VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical strain is being remanded due to the need for an addendum VA examination and opinion.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a low back condition and remanded it. The depression and cervical spine conditions are also remanded as they may be secondary to the low back condition.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, including DDD, cervicalgia, and spondylosis with radicular pain, is granted as service connected.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral eye disability, cervical spine disability, and upper back disability due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,Further development is needed as the VA examinations were not completed as per the November 2021 Board Remand.

The Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome with cervical chain adenopathy is rated at 60 percent, which is the highest rating available under Diagnostic Code 6354. The Board found that the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they restrict daily activities to between 50 to 75 percent of the pre-illness level.

The Board has remanded the cases for further evaluation due to a need for new examinations and consideration of additional evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder but has remanded the claims of service connection for muscle and joint pain, including CTS, due to Gulf War exposure. The case is being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected cervical spine disability and bilateral cubital tunnel syndrome were denied. The right cubital tunnel syndrome was combined with the cervical radiculopathy, resulting in a 40 percent rating since October 14, 2020.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's bone pain disability due to bone density loss, including osteoporosis and osteopenia. The examiner is asked to clarify whether certain diagnoses are related to service and provide an opinion on their etiology.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine disability, as secondary to degenerative arthritis of the spine associated with residuals of left ankle fracture. The case requires further development due to the need for an opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disability.

The Veteran was found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities from August 22, 2016. The Board granted an extraschedular TDIU for this period.

The Board denied service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his in-service injuries or disease.