Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease, claimed as neck pain, is granted service connection.,Service connection for headaches is granted based on the Veteran's in-service MVA and continued symptoms.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the reduction in rating from 30 percent to 20 percent for cervical strain. The Board dismissed the issue as a result.

The Veteran's claims for cervical spine and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy were denied initially in August 2018. The appeal was not properly filed until May 12, 2021, when the Veteran submitted a supplemental claim seeking service connection for these conditions. As such, an earlier effective date is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to determine if she was eligible for concurrent receipt of military retired pay and VA disability compensation, which would affect the withholding of her VA compensation benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's cervical spine disorder and his service, as well as its relation to any service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for liver disability, neck disability, and low back disability due to insufficient evidence. The claims for OSA are also remanded.

The Board has found that the VA medical opinions did not substantially comply with the February 2021 Board remand directives and has therefore ordered further development for the issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, heart disorder, cervical spine disorder, and lumbar spine disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various spine and foot disorders due to incomplete records and a change in address.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete compliance with a previous remand directive. The issues of service connection for cervical spine disability and upper left extremity radiculopathy are inextricably intertwined and must be addressed together.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA spine examinations. The Veteran contends her cervical spine conditions are related to an injury during active or reserve duty in 2005, but the medical opinions provided were not adequate.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for a cervical spine disorder. The claims for HTN and bilateral hip strain remain denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development to obtain outstanding medical records and for new VA examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disorder, right knee disability, bilateral pes planus, headache disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraine headaches, right upper extremity neuropathy, urinary dysfunction, asthma, and various knee and ankle disorders, rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to April 1, 2020.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his employment was not marginal and he did not receive special accommodations in his work environment. The decision also noted that his income exceeded the poverty threshold for one person during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical DDD/DJD and radiculopathy of the right upper extremity associated with cervical DDD and DJD due to service, as well as any aggravation by his service-connected bilateral knee disability. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's striae distensae of the right and left lower extremities have been granted increased ratings to 20 percent each.,The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a neck disorder, including cervical myofascial pain syndrome.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on all issues have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal of the denial for service connection for cervical spine, hip, and shoulder arthritis is remanded due to procedural issues.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and thoracic and lumbar spine, finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability, headache condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations.