Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical strain is not related to his active military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease and remanded the issues of service connection for a cervical spine disorder and TDIU.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a bilateral shoulder disorder, cervical spine disorder (claimed as an upper back disorder), lumbar spine disorder, and migraine headaches. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has remanded the claims for recurrent lumbosacral strain and DDD of the cervical spine due to inadequate examination findings regarding flare-ups, requiring additional retrospective medical opinions.

The Veteran's back disorder, neck disorder, right shoulder disorder, left elbow disorder, and left knee disorder have been granted evaluations. The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy have also been granted evaluations. An effective date of September 30, 2020 has been established for these service connection awards.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that the preexisting condition was not aggravated during active duty training.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional VA and private treatment records, and a retrospective opinion regarding the severity of his condition during specific periods.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his back DJD and anxiety disorder, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The claim is being remanded for further development and consideration of the TDIU issue.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities due to incomplete development of evidence, including failure to schedule VA examinations. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after additional examination and development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service motor vehicle accidents. The right hip disability claim is remanded due to insufficient clarification of the etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability, including degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to an in-service injury and resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an additional medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current angioplasty with stent placement is aggravated by her service-connected cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, cervical spine disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, right knee disability, and left foot disability was granted with an effective date of December 17, 1997.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for arthritis and bilateral leg disability due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left shoulder, lumbar spine, and cervical spine conditions due to insufficient evidence in the record regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical spine conditions, finding that there is insufficient evidence to establish a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board denied service connection for various upper extremity, shoulder, wrist, and knee disorders as they were not shown to be related to service or any other compensable condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a neck disability, finding that her current condition did not have its onset during active service and is not related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for right and left knee strain, stress fracture, limitation of flexion and extension are denied. She is granted a separate disability rating evaluated at 10 percent, but no higher, for right knee instability.