Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2022

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a cervical spine disability due to an inadequate opinion and potential Reserve service records not being fully associated with the file. The case will be reviewed again, including obtaining additional Reserve service records and providing a new medical opinion considering the Veteran's in-service injury.

The Veteran's neck disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, is granted service connection. The claims for uterine fibroids and hysterectomy are remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disorders were denied increased ratings prior to September 22, 2015. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine condition and memory loss, finding no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that caused these conditions.,Specifically, the Board determined there was not enough evidence to support a link between the Veteran's current cervical spine disability and his active-duty service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is granted, but not related to service.,The Veteran's lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities are denied as not related to service.

Service connection is granted for lumbar and cervical spine conditions.,The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been withdrawn.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudicative action due to inadequate opinion in a previous VA examination regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine radiculopathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Catawba Valley Medical Center from June 15, 2015 to June 16, 2015 are now covered by VA as the treatment was necessary due to a 'medical emergency' and no feasible VA facility was available.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to June 14, 2019.

Service connection is granted for cervical spine spondylosis and thoracic spine compression fracture T7-T8.,Service connection is granted for headaches. Service connection is remanded for a right hip condition and head and face pain (claimed as sinusitis).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical spine disability has been reopened, but the Board finds no effective date prior to April 5, 2010 is warranted.,The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and sleep apnea disorder (secondary to PTSD) have been remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for supraventricular arrythmia. The claim for a neck disability is denied, and the claims for secondary service connection for hypertension and hypertensive heart disease are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for clarification regarding the Veteran's educational background and work history, as well as potential interrelated claims involving TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate statement of reasons or bases for its implicit finding of substantial compliance with prior remand instructions. The matter is being returned for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's claims for depression, left shoulder disorder, left arm disorder, and cervical spine disorder were reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, service connection was denied as there is no current diagnosis or link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected due to a qualifying in-service stressor. The appeals for right hip, cervical spine, and bilateral hearing loss disabilities are dismissed.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease was granted a 40% rating from November 1, 2015 to June 4, 2018. A 30% rating for left upper extremity radiculopathy was granted prior to March 24, 2014 and TDIU was granted prior to that date.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability and seborrheic dermatitis, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as right wrist metacarpal fracture residuals due to the need for additional development.