Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2022

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee, ankle, cervical spine, and left shoulder disorders due to a lack of evidence showing chronicity in service or continuity of symptomatology after service.

The Veteran's appeals for Traumatic Brain Injury and TDIU were dismissed due to the Veteran requesting to withdraw his appeal.,The remaining issues of service connection for various disabilities, including a right knee disability, low back disability, gastric disorder, neck disability, and right upper extremity radiculopathy are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the cervical spine claim due to inadequate opinions regarding its etiology. The Veteran's cervical spine disabilities are being reviewed again for a new medical opinion.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for hypoglycemia prior to September 28, 2012 was denied.,A disability rating of 20 percent for hypoglycemia from September 28, 2012 was granted.

The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee retropatellar pain syndrome and a compensable rating for left knee limitation of extension have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for pes planus has been granted, as new and material evidence was received since the December 2007 denial.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical spondylosis has been granted, with a finding that her disability began during active service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for radiculopathy of the left upper extremity and right upper extremity have been granted, based on evidence showing a relationship to her cervical spine disorder.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability is service-connected on a secondary basis to his service-connected right lower extremity radiculopathy and/or right knee osteoarthritis. The cervical spine disability remains remanded for further development.

The Veteran's skin condition is granted service connection due to herbicide exposure. The cervical and lumbar spine conditions are denied as not related to active duty, while the iron deficiency anemia claim is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his lumbar and cervical spine disabilities were partially granted, with the lumbar spine disability receiving a temporary 20% rating from March 29, 2011 to June 12, 2018, while the cervical spine disability received a permanent 20% rating from March 29, 2011 to May 1, 2014.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar, thoracic, and cervical spine disabilities due to a lack of an examination addressing his in-service experiences. The Veteran is entitled to a VA examination to determine if he currently has these conditions and whether they are related to his military service.

The appeal for an increased disability rating for cervical strain is dismissed. Service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, including on direct, chronic disease presumptive, and secondary bases, is denied.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 20% for the entire appeal period, and a separate rating of 20% is granted for left upper extremity radiculopathy. The right upper extremity condition remains unclear and requires further clarification.

The Board has determined that there are outstanding records relating to the Veteran's cervical spine and knee disabilities, and that records previously submitted by the Veteran were incomplete. The Board directed the AOJ to request the Veteran authorize the release of any outstanding records relating to his surgeries and subsequent physical therapy.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.,The Veteran has multiple new and material evidence-based claims that require additional VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sleep apnea, neck disability, and back disability and his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected fibromyalgia, neck disability, and lower extremity radiculopathy require regular aid and attendance due to their effects on daily activities.

The Board dismissed the claim of service connection for a left index finger disability. The claims to reopen for service connection for left knee, heat-related, and right knee disabilities are granted. Service connection is denied for right knee, left knee, back, neck, and heat-related disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, neck, left hip, and right hip disabilities due to incomplete personnel records from his Army National Guard service. The VA will obtain these records and schedule the Veteran for examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations, treatment records review, and consideration of new evidence. The effective date for left hand neuropathy is established as October 30, 2013.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the lumbar spine. The appeals for service connection for lumbar strain and degenerative changes of the cervical spine have been dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected headaches are granted a 50% disability rating from September 25, 2015. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU effective from the date of his claim.