Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2022

The Board has denied service connection for respiratory and digestive disabilities, as well as back and neck disabilities. The claim for a higher rating of left thumb disability is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of secondary service connection for his neck disability, finding that it is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected residuals of dislocated left shoulder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral foot disabilities, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability. The evidence did not show an in-service disease or injury that led to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions provided by VA examiners.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's in-service onset and continued symptoms, as well as her contention that her neck disability is related to a bulging disc rather than degenerative disc disease. The VA examiner will be asked to provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's neck disability had its onset in service or is otherwise attributable to service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his diabetes mellitus, type II, and carpal tunnel syndrome of the right and left upper extremities do not meet or approximate criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for vertigo and a rating greater than 20 percent for cervical spondylosis due to additional development being required.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues of service connection for eye disability, neck disability, bilateral ankle disability, and fibromyalgia are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records. The effective date of July 15, 1986, has been granted for his cervical spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back pain and cervical spine disorders due to insufficient evidence regarding his in-service injuries and continuity of symptomatology.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability and found that new and material evidence has not been presented. The claims for PTSD, TBI, back disability, left knee disability, chronic pain syndrome, increased rating for right shoulder arthritis with impingement, and TDIU are all remanded.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative arthritis and tension headaches associated with the cervical spine disability were denied service connection.,Service connection was granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depressive disorder due to service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracic spine condition, lumbar spine condition, and cervical strain due to a lack of consideration of his lay statements and an examination is needed.

The Veteran's cervical spine and thoracolumbar spine conditions are found to be related to his active service.,The Veteran's right leg radiculopathy is also found to be related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for her cervical spine disability and scoliosis with mild arthritis changes due to incomplete medical opinions and inadequate examination reports.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to service-connected depressive disorder with anxious distress. The claim for a neck disability is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder and schizotypal personality disorder, is granted as service connected. Service connection for PTSD is denied. The issues of service connection for IBS, right upper extremity disorder (right shoulder strain), and cervical spine disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve are both currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not limit or prevent participation in the avocational interests of exercise, photography, and music. The Board denied the request for VR&E benefits to purchase a music keyboard, stationary and electric bicycles, and camera as part of his avocational activities.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for a respiratory condition, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, lower extremity radiculopathy, right knee osteoarthritis, and left knee disability. Additional records are needed from SSA, VA treatment records, private doctors, and exposure confirmation. A new medical opinion is required to consider the Veteran's reports of continuous symptoms since service and his current disability picture.