Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease is now rated at 20 percent effective October 30, 2017.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination and reasoning provided by the VA examiner regarding the Veteran's neck disability. The Veteran contends his current neck disability is related to service, but the VA examiner did not adequately address this claim.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical sprain, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and major depressive disorder are being remanded for additional examinations to assess their current severity. The Veteran's Bell's Palsy is also being remanded for a new examination to determine the nature and extent of his residuals.

The Veteran's cervical spine, right shoulder, left shoulder, and lumbar spine disabilities have been denied as not incurred in or related to service.,Service connection for asthma and a respiratory disability other than asthma is remanded due to potential exposure to particulate matter during service.

The Veteran's carpal tunnel on the right and left were granted service connection. The cervical spine disability and gastroenteritis are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his cervical spine disability and radiculopathy of the upper extremities were denied. The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine was rated at 10 percent prior to June 28, 2012, and higher than 20 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip arthritis, right hand arthritis, cervicalgia (DDD of the cervical spine), and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to additional development needed.,The Board is unable to make a determination on these issues without first confirming whether the Veteran had an additional period of active-duty service with the National Guard prior to January 2005.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examinations and need for additional evidence, including National Guard service treatment records and VA outpatient records.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 50 percent for migraine headaches, but has remanded the issue of secondary service connection for cervical spine disability due to a right ankle disability. The Veteran's cervical spine disability is being reviewed again as it was not addressed in previous VA opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for low back, neck, and bilateral hip disabilities due to incomplete records. The Veteran's service treatment records from Randolph Air Force Base need to be obtained.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine disorder, muscle atrophy and weakness, bilateral eye disorder, and headaches due to incomplete development of records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and headaches, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to an in-service injury.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected left ear hearing loss. The issues of increased ratings for cervical spine degenerative joint disease, slap lesion and partial thickness tear supraspinatus tendon right shoulder, and eczema, as well as his claims for service connection for tinnitus, a left wrist disorder, and a right elbow disorder are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence submitted by him and requests for additional information from private medical providers.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation prior to August 11, 2016.

The appeal is being remanded for the RO to consider additional evidence and list specific dates of each four-hour drill/training session in 2011. The benefits sought remain denied.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine, right hip, and left hip disorders due to a lack of evidence showing the conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.,Service connection was not granted as there is no credible evidence that the Veteran's current hip disorders are related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of a VA examination regarding the Veteran's current cervical spondylosis and its relation to service. The Veteran needs to be examined to determine if his neck injury in service is related to his current condition.