Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected stiff-person syndrome and related conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU prior to November 9, 2020. The issue of entitlement to an increased rating for SPS is remanded due to possible worsening of the condition.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's claimed left shoulder strain and impingement syndrome, cervical strain with myositis, lumbar strain with myositis, bilateral iliopsoas tendinitis of the hips, bilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome of the knees, right ankle tendinitis, chronic left ankle sprain, and bilateral lateral epicondylitis of the elbows.

The Veteran's right knee, left shoulder, neck, and lumbar spine disabilities were denied service connection as they are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand three issues: service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, a higher rating for cervical spine disability, and a separate rating for bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy associated with cervical spine disability. The Veteran's claims are being returned due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine spondylosis and PTSD or other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder due to failure to send notification of VA examinations. The appellant is advised that failure to report for these exams may have detrimental consequences on his pending claim.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for various disabilities and increased ratings, as well as an earlier effective date claim. The Veteran's claims are now pending with the RO.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment due to their severity.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's cervical and lower back disabilities, as well as whether they are related to service or his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate addendum opinions and other issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder impingement syndrome, cervical spondylosis, left knee strain, and right knee strain.,Further issues of service connection for a thoracolumbar disability (to include thoracic scoliosis) are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee, lumbar spine, cervical spine, and right shoulder disorders are not causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident during service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate development and need for updated medical opinions. The Veteran's lay statements are considered in determining the etiology of his cervical spine disorder, peripheral neuropathy, and ED.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's neck disability and head injury with residuals are not service-connected. The case is being remanded for further examination to address the onset of her symptoms.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings of left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, internal hemorrhoids, and hypertension. The Board has dismissed these matters as a result.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's cervical spine disorder and his service-connected disabilities. The VA needs to obtain a new opinion that addresses whether the Veteran's multiple service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities cause or aggravate his cervical spine disorder.

The Veteran's left shoulder, back, migraine and tension headaches, cervical strain, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome have been granted service connection.,Further evaluations are needed for the Veteran's claimed bilateral arm disability other than carpal tunnel syndrome (including arthritis) and bilateral hip disability (including arthritis), as well as an initial rating higher than 20 percent for right shoulder A/C separation.

The Board has granted service connection for rheumatoid arthritis as secondary to scleroderma and remanded the issue of service connection for a neck disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right shoulder, right elbow, left elbow, and cervical spine disabilities due to incomplete development. The AOJ is instructed to obtain private medical records and clarify whether an Informal Decision Review Officer hearing is desired.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board denied entitlement to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.