Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2022

The claims for service connection have been granted for the cervical spine disability, tremors of the right hand, and chronic headache disability. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains denied.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection and rating issues due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease, spondylosis, and degenerative arthritis are found to have originated during active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine condition, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his active duty service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding service connection for neck disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and PTSD due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has granted service connection for swelling in the left hand, a cervical spine condition, and cervical radiculopathy of the right upper extremity.,Service connection is established for these conditions as they are found to be at least as likely as not related to military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete information and procedural issues.

Service connection is granted for a brain condition (other than already service-connected epilepsy) and reopening of service connection for a low back disability. Other claims are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for left leg varicose veins, lumbar spine condition, right hip arthritis, left hip arthritis, cervical spine foraminal stenosis, right upper extremity nerve involvement (claimed as carpal tunnel), left upper extremity nerve involvement (claimed as nerve damage), acid reflux, and sleep apnea are all remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.,The Veteran's lumbar spine condition is remanded because a new VA examination and opinion are needed given her testimony of continued back pain since service. The claim for right hip arthritis and left hip arthritis is also remanded as it involves bilateral hips, necessitating a VA examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.,The Veteran's cervical spine foraminal stenosis claim is remanded due to its inextricability with her lumbar spine disability. A VA examination and medical nexus opinion are needed for both direct and secondary theories of causation.,The Veteran's claims for right upper extremity nerve involvement (claimed as carpal tunnel) and left upper extremity nerve involvement (claimed as nerve damage) are remanded due to their inextricability with her cervical spine disability. A VA examination and medical nexus opinion regarding the secondary theory of causation is needed.,The Veteran's acid reflux claim is remanded because a VA examination and medical opinion are needed given her service-connected left leg varicose veins and other potential service-connected disabilities, as well as her testimony about obesity being an intermediate step between these conditions and sleep apnea.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability due to lack of evidence of current disability.,The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right hand, left hand, right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, as there are insufficient medical opinions provided in the prior decisions. The case is sent back for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's PTSD, posttraumatic headaches, chronic cervical strain, and chronic lumbar strain with early degenerative disc disease were granted service connection effective July 20, 2010. The TBI was granted as part of the PTSD award on November 16, 2010, and a separate rating of 10% for TBI was awarded effective May 16, 2017.,An earlier effective date claim for all conditions except TBI is denied due to finality.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and opinions regarding his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including persistent depressive disorder, right knee disability, cervical spine disability, lumbar strain, and right hand disability, have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since April 16, 2020.

The Board has identified new evidence since the March 2020 Supplemental Statement of the Case and requests that the Veteran confirm his desire for a hearing. The appeal is being remanded to allow for this review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for lower back, left hip, and cervical spine disabilities due to inadequate development in prior VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, increased evaluations for lumbosacral strain and cervical spine disabilities due to insufficient development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and a left shoulder disability due to conflicting medical opinions and lack of clear evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine arthritis, mild lumbosacral strain with an old healed fracture of the distal sacrum, and right hip degenerative joint disease (DJD) due to duty-to-assist errors in obtaining updated medical records and conducting new examinations.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, cervical spine strain, headaches, and hemorrhoids have been granted service connection. The psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder with depression) has not been granted service connection.