Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease was granted service connection effective December 16, 2008. The decision is based on the fact that the condition originated during active service and additional relevant records were received after a previous denial.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, cervical radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, lumbar radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and lumbar radiculopathy of the right lower extremity due to lack of medical evidence linking current symptoms to in-service stressors or conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. The claims for increased ratings for cervical spine and right shoulder disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's sinusitis is granted service connection due to presumed exposure to particulate matter. The right shoulder and neck disabilities are denied as not related to service, while the left ankle disability is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations. The issues of rating cervical spine disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, skin disability due to chemical exposure, left hip disability, and TDIU are being remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings in excess of 30 percent for cervical spine degenerative arthritis and in excess of 20 percent for right upper extremity radiculopathy prior to February 24, 2022. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease due to inadequate VA opinions based on in-service radiographs.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran and additional VA medical records added to the claims file after previous SSOCs.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal disabilities and hepatitis C due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a lumbosacral spinal fusion, residuals of a ventral hernia, and residuals of thyroid cancer are all granted. The claim for service connection for a neck disability secondary to the lumbosacral spinal fusion is remanded due to insufficient evidence. The hypertension claim is also remanded.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with its prior remand directives and thus, an addendum opinion is required to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for memory loss, muscle and joint pain (back, neck, left shoulder), fatigue, and skin symptoms are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.,Specifically, a VA examiner is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service or an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum rating available.,Prior to June 15, 2021, the Veteran's cervical spine disability was rated at 20 percent.,From June 15, 2021, to October 22, 2021, the Veteran's cervical spine disability was rated at 30 percent.,Since October 22, 2021, the Veteran's cervical spine disability has not met the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and consideration of new evidence, including VA examination reports. The issues of service connection for various disabilities remain on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and procedural issues. The Veteran's cervical spine DDD condition needs further evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for an upper back/cervical spine disability due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding service connection.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including the evaluation of DJD of the thoracolumbar and cervical spine, separate ratings for radiculopathy, service connection for migraine headaches as secondary to service-connected disabilities, and TDIU. The effective date issue remains pending.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining an opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's neck disability and left ankle disability.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is granted a 20 percent disability rating from January 30, 2018 to April 4, 2022. The issue of entitlement to increased ratings for headaches and TDIU remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of his cervical spine disability, finding that it did not have its onset during active service and is not otherwise etiologically related to such service.