Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2022

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left hip disabilities, as well as unspecified arthritis of the cervical, bilateral shoulder, and bilateral elbow joints. The issues of entitlement to service connection for right and left knee disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including those related to the Veteran's right eye pterygium, respiratory condition (asthma), cervical spine disability, left shoulder condition, hypertension, bilateral upper extremities numbness and cramps, dental issues, and PTSD. The claims are being returned to the RO for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's spine and skin conditions. The cases are being returned for further development.

The appeal of the issue of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea is dismissed.,New and material evidence has been received and the petition to reopen a claim of service connection for lumbar spine disability is granted.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for degenerative arthritis of the cervical and lumbar spine have been granted, with a rating of 10 percent each. The appeal was remanded due to issues related to lower extremity neurological symptoms.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and a bilateral shoulder disorder, finding no nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for fibromyalgia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), dysphonia, cervical spine disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder due to insufficient medical opinions provided by the July 2021 VA examiner.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for OSA, cervical spine DDD prior to August 30, 2018, and cervical spine DDD from August 30, 2018 onwards were denied. The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected. High cholesterol and psychiatric disorders are denied. The remaining claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective October 12, 2021. The decision also grants an increased rating for left knee disability and service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy of the middle radicular group.

The Board has granted the readjudication of previously denied claims for service connection for lumbosacral degenerative disc disease, cervical strain, and COPD. The issues have been remanded for additional examinations to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for bell's palsy, hearing loss, cervical spine disability, and rheumatoid arthritis due to insufficient evidence regarding their relationship to service. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions based on exposure to toxic or radiation in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to deficiencies in the prior VA examination and lack of information regarding her cervical spine disability.

Service connection is denied for a lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and asthma.,An effective date earlier than November 23, 2016, for the award of service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus is also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck disability, including degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, is related to service and granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and thoracic spine conditions due to inadequate opinions in previous evaluations. The case is now pending further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, neck, and back disabilities due to incomplete VA examination reports and a need for further medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions meet the schedular prerequisite criteria for a TDIU, and her mental and physical disabilities have rendered her unable to obtain or maintain a substantially gainful course of employment. The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU from July 26, 2020.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination and the need for a new opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disorder.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and cervical spine disability were denied. The cervical spine disability received a rating of 20 percent, effective from August 29, 2016.