Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development.,No rating has been assigned as the appeal is not about a compensable evaluation.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's cervical spine degenerative arthritis and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and thus denied these claims.,The Veteran's headaches are remanded for an addendum opinion to address whether they are caused or aggravated by her service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a neck disability (secondary to service-connected bilateral shoulder disabilities) were denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder, and the neck disability was not determined to be caused or aggravated by the service-connected bilateral shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for increased ratings on multiple conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, cervical degenerative disc disease, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and traumatic brain injury.

The Board has found that the development conducted does not comply with the July 2021 Board remand and requires an addendum VA medical opinion to address the Veteran's cervical cancer and metastasis.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, lumbar spine disability, and respiratory disability (other than OSA) are being remanded for further development.,Specifically, the Board finds that additional information is needed to properly evaluate these claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, a neck disability (previously claimed as upper back disability), and other conditions. The claims are remanded for further development including VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to new evidence added since the last decision. The Veteran will need a VA examination for his bilateral plantar fasciitis and an addendum opinion regarding his right ankle condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete records. The claims will be reviewed again with additional evidence and a new opinion.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and related radiculopathies have been remanded for further development due to the complexity of his symptoms and need for additional medical evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are denied. The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and an examination.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar and cervical spine degenerative disc disease, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to injuries sustained during his National Guard duty in January 2002.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine and cervical disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not shown as chronic in service, did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period, continuity of symptomatology is not established, and are not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease. Therefore, service connection for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral leg disability, bilateral foot disability, sinus disability (to include sinus headaches), and hypertension has been denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete etiology opinions and a need for further examination. The Veteran's cervical spine disability, including degenerative disease and sprain, is being reviewed again.

The Board has determined that additional development is required for the claims of service connection for various conditions, including hemorrhoids, lumbar herniated disc, bilateral cataracts, left and right sciatic nerve paralysis, cervical herniated disc, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected back and neck conditions, as well as his claim of entitlement to a TDIU prior to May 5, 2017, require additional development. Specifically, the AOJ is instructed to obtain private medical records, schedule the Veteran for VA examinations regarding his conditions, and provide an SOC on the issue of higher ratings for his service-connected back condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetic nephropathy, PTSD, diabetes mellitus with retinopathy, cervical sprain, tinnitus, right and left knee degenerative joint disease, pes planus, and left eardrum surgery residuals, preclude him from engaging in gainful employment consistent with his education and experience. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined rating of 90 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical condition and a back condition (thoracolumbar) as there is no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left knee disorders, cervical spine disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to in-service motor vehicle accident (MVA) and reported harassment.