Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for increased disability rating, service connection, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his ankylosing spondylitis and cervical spine disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical and thoracic spine, glaucoma, a chronic disability manifested as shortness of breath, and cataracts all related to military service. Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome was denied.

The Veteran's cervical strain and degenerative arthritis of the spine, tension headaches, and left hand strain have been granted service connection.,An increased rating of 10 percent for hypertension has also been granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's glaucoma, cervical spine DDD, and chronic stomach condition.

The Veteran's initial rating for DDD of the cervical spine was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran's insomnia disorder, right shoulder strain, and foot conditions were also denied their respective increased ratings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, due to herbicide exposure under the PACT Act, is granted. The other issues are remanded and will be considered further.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claims can be adjudicated. The Veteran should be provided VA examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected cervical strain, chronic epididymitis and bilateral varicoceles, and migraine headaches.

The Veteran's service connection claims for gastritis with GERD, amenorrhea, dysplasia, and a stomach condition (IBS) are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hip disability, bilateral shoulder disability, and neck disability have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn his appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability, including as secondary to his service-connected shell fragment wound (SFW) disability, and for an increased rating for his SFW disability. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his cervical spine disability and an increased rating for his SFW disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability and remanded the issues of cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, bilateral hip disabilities as secondary to a thoracolumbar disability. The TDIU issue is also remanded.

The Board has granted a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extra-schedular basis from September 29, 2011, to March 15, 2021.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.,The Veteran was granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from November 8, 2011.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for neck and right shoulder disabilities due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for a left wrist disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left shoulder impingement syndrome. The claims of service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, and obstructive sleep apnea disabilities are remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding service connection for sleep apnea due to the appellant's representative withdrawing the issue at a hearing.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and left hand carpal tunnel syndrome have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for GERD has been remanded due to lack of recent in-person examination documentation.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability, bilateral shoulder disability, and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy claims are being remanded as the VA examinations were inadequate.,ED is secondary to service-connected conditions including medications taken for other disabilities.

The Veteran's left upper extremity radiculopathy was initially rated at 20 percent prior to September 15, 2016 and then increased to 30 percent from that date onwards. A TDIU was granted effective July 24, 2018 due to the combined effect of multiple service-connected disabilities. Prior to this, a 20 percent rating for left upper extremity radiculopathy was denied.