Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, left upper extremity radiculopathy, left knee disability, and right knee disability were all denied increased ratings.,Specifically, the cervical spine disability was not rated higher than 10 percent, the left upper extremity radiculopathy was not rated higher than 30 percent, the left knee disability was not rated higher than 10 percent, and the right knee disability was not rated higher than 10 percent.,The Veteran's claims were denied as they did not meet the criteria for increased ratings under applicable VA regulations.

The Board has determined that additional evidence was added to the record and remands several issues for further review, including service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right eye disability, left eye disability, cervical spine disability, right ankle disability, and erectile dysfunction. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with these service connection issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to duty-to-assist errors and insufficient reasons for its decision. The Veteran's neck disability is being reviewed again with a new examination.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine disability, finding that it is related to injuries sustained during active service.

The Board has determined that substantial compliance with the August 2021 remand directives has not been achieved, and therefore, the claims for service connection are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for cervical spine, thoracic spine, right shoulder, and left shoulder disabilities due to a lack of an adequate examination addressing the Veteran's in-service injuries.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to a lack of VA treatment records and the need for additional examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for various conditions, including dental condition, sinusitis, hand and wrist disabilities, foot conditions, lumbar spine condition, cervical spine condition. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed again due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a cervical spine condition, hypertension, and a headache condition. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding these issues.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings and service connection for various conditions are being remanded due to the addition of new evidence not previously considered by the AOJ.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hip disability is being reopened due to new and material evidence.,Service connection for the neck disability was previously denied, but an effective date prior to December 5, 2013, is not granted as no claims were filed before that date.,Claims for left upper extremity radiculopathy and right upper extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to lack of evidence showing they were part of the original neck disability claim.,The Veteran's COPD claim remains pending with additional development needed.

The Veteran's claims for additional disability caused by VA medical care related to his left arm and hand condition, as well as his neck or cervical spine condition, were denied. The Board found that the surgery did not result in additional disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed low back and neck conditions are not service-connected, as there is no evidence to support a link between his current symptoms and his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for back and neck disorders due to a pre-decisional error in not addressing the Veteran's theories of entitlement.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, ED, right knee disability, neck disability, upper back disability, and low back disability due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding in-service exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board denied service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and dismissed the appeals regarding cervical spine disability and radiculopathy of the upper extremities.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on all issues except the bilateral leg numbness and tingling claim has been dismissed. The headache, alcohol use disorder, cervical spine, and hip disability claims have been denied.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not indicate total occupational and social impairment, but rather intermittent occupational and social impairment warranting a 50% rating. Service connection claims for bilateral knee, rib, neck, and sciatic nerve disabilities were remanded due to inadequate examination reports.