Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to concerns about causation and fault related to falls during treatment in February, September, and October 2012.

The Board has ordered remand for the following reasons: obtaining outstanding VA records, scheduling updated examinations to assess lower extremity neuropathy, and addressing the issue of TDIU. The Veteran's service-connected low back strain, right and left lower extremity neuropathy, and chronic cervical strain are all being reviewed.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including those related to PTSD, spinal disabilities, hearing loss, fibromyalgia, and other conditions. The Veteran's VA treatment records need to be updated, and she needs to undergo additional examinations to assess the severity of her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the claims of service connection for asthma, COPD, arthritis of the hands and feet, and cervical spine disorder. The VA examiners were requested to provide opinions on whether these conditions are related to military service, including herbicide exposure, or if they are proximately due to or aggravated by other service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of head injury, headaches, neck disability, and dizziness have been remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for recurrent respiratory disability (including asthma) and cervical spine disability due to incomplete records from his third period of active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran requires regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, leading to a grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has denied service connection for COPD and remanded the issue of service connection for cervical spine strain due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Board has vacated the July 2021 decision and remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions.

The Board has withdrawn the claim for service connection for blurry vision and has remanded the claims of service connection for chest pain, cervical spine injury pain, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and sprained 3rd digit of the right hand.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his cervical spine disability was dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as her left and right shoulder disabilities. The claim for TMD is being remanded.,There is no evidence of a current disability in any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating due to insufficient development of evidence, including a need for new VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the Veteran's inability to attend VA spine examinations, and requests for medical opinions regarding his thoracolumbar and cervical spine disorders.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted an increased rating of 70 percent effective June 26, 2019.,Service connection for hypertension is denied. The Veteran's new and material evidence has reopened the claim, but service connection remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development and lack of compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical spine disability, claimed as degenerative joint disease and osteoarthritis and neck condition, is being returned to the AOJ for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, or reopening of previously denied claims have been granted. The case is remanded for further development on some issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions regarding whether his service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his claimed conditions. The issues include sleep apnea, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, multilevel degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, basal cell carcinoma, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability has not been manifested by unfavorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) with incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 4 weeks or more in a 12-month period, or additional functional loss sufficient to warrant additional compensation. As such, his claim for increased ratings is denied.