Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2022

The Board has dismissed the appeal for bladder disability due to withdrawal. The claims of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, hypertension, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, cervical spine disability, obstructive sleep apnea, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory condition, and GERD are all REMANDED due to new evidence received.

The Veteran's cervical spine, left hip, right hip, and knee disabilities are denied as service connection is not established.,PTSD service connection is remanded due to insufficient evidence of an in-service stressor.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that there was no evidence of chronicity or compensable manifestations within one year post-service discharge. The Board also found insufficient medical opinion to support secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a neck disorder, hypertension secondary to a neck disorder, and neurological disorder of the bilateral upper extremities (BUE) secondary to a neck disorder due to inadequate opinions in prior VA examinations. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence being added to the file since the last decision. The AOJ must consider this evidence before any further action is taken.

The Board is remanding the case to attempt to obtain records regarding an assault upon the Veteran during his military service, as requested in a previous remand.

The Board has remanded the case for additional examinations to determine the severity of the Veteran's service-connected neck disability, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran is also being considered for aid and attendance and/or other special monthly compensation.

The Board has remanded the claims for neck disability and radiculopathy of the upper extremities due to insufficient development. The Veteran's current neck disability is not service-connected as there is no evidence linking it to an in-service injury or event, despite credible lay statements of continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's cervical spine, bronchitis, and allergic rhinitis disabilities are etiologically related to her active service.,The Veteran's bilateral upper extremity neurological disorders were caused by her service-connected cervical spine disability.,The Veteran's left foot disability (pes planus and plantar fasciitis) is remanded for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's right foot disability (pes planus and plantar fasciitis) is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has found that further examination and evaluation are necessary to determine the current severity of the Veteran's knee disabilities, as well as whether her cervical spine disability is related to service or secondary to her knee disabilities. The claims for increased ratings and service connection will be remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including anxiety, depression, cervical spine disability, left shoulder disability, upper and lower back spasms, right knee disability, left knee disability, and left foot disability. The reasons include a lack of service treatment records from the relevant periods.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of her cervical spine disability remains in appellate status and is being remanded due to the receipt of additional evidence.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted an increased rating of 20 percent, but no higher, prior to January 27, 2020. Since then, the rating remains at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded two issues related to service connection for lumbar and cervical spine conditions with numbness in the lower and upper extremities, respectively. The remand is due to the failure of the Board to obtain VA treatment records from the Omaha VA Medical Center.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for cataracts has been dismissed. Service connection for hemorrhoids, PTSD, and various other disabilities have been granted. The remaining issues are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the cervical spine, as well as bilateral upper extremity disabilities (neuropathy and radiculopathy) that are secondary to her service-connected cervical arthritis.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's inability to attend VA examinations within a 10-mile radius of his home. The claim will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's neck disability is denied service connection, and his back disability remains rated at 40 percent. The Board granted a TDIU from February 3, 2005, through January 4, 2018, and from December 1, 2019, to September 24, 2020.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her so helpless as to need the regular aid and attendance of another person, which is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine disc herniation and spondylosis, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to service. Service connection was also granted for right upper extremity radiculopathy secondary to service-connected cervical spine disability.