Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a cervical spine disorder, initial increased ratings for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and right shoulder osteoarthritis, as well as initial compensable ratings for residuals of a right fifth metacarpal fracture and lichenification.,No new evidence or arguments have been provided to support these claims.

Your appeal has been dismissed as the Veteran requested to withdraw his appeals for service connection of left knee disability, cervical spine disability, bilateral leg disability, and bilateral ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for migraine headaches, left index finger injury residuals, lumbar spine condition, and cervical spine condition due to incomplete information regarding his periods of active duty service (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty training (INACDUTRA). The RO is instructed to obtain updated medical records and determine if there are any new diagnoses or conditions related to these periods. Additionally, the Board requests an addendum opinion for migraine headaches, a new examination for left index finger conditions, and a new opinion regarding lumbar spine and cervical spine conditions.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted as service-connected due to early onset within a year of discharge.,Her thoracic spine disability is denied, with no evidence linking it to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU are remanded due to non-compliance with prior remand directives. The hearing loss claim is denied as there is no evidence of an evaluation in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's service connection claims for rhinitis, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and major depressive disorder), a low back disability, a cervical spine disability, a bilateral knee disability, migraines, intestinal condition (colostomy bag), and cervical cancer are all granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, lumbar spine, right shoulder, and bilateral knee disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions and lack of VA treatment records. The Veteran contends his conditions are related to service, specifically a parachute landing fall in December 1996.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical arthritis and thoracolumbar arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, right knee, and hip disabilities did not meet or approximate the criteria for higher disability ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations of his cervical and thoracolumbar spine conditions from October 31, 2017, were denied as the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of his disabilities.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a cervical spine disability, TBI residuals including impaired memory, headaches, blurred vision, dizziness, decreased processing speed, and organic brain syndrome, and obstructive sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board found no evidence to support a connection between the Veteran's cervical spine condition and service, nor did it find any link between his migraine headaches and exposure at Camp Lejeune. The claims were denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and compliance issues, requiring additional medical records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not result in the need for aid and attendance of another person, as she can perform most activities of daily living with assistance when needed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to September 8, 2011.,The Veteran does not meet the criteria for SMC based on TDIU since he is not unemployable due to a single service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine disorder is causally related to injuries sustained during his active service, specifically in a motor vehicle accident (MVA) in 1992 and another MVA in 1995. Therefore, the claim for service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy due to service-connected lumbar spine disability. The case requires additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions, specifically whether they are related to his service-connected disabilities or if obesity is a substantial factor in their development.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate to decide the claims for cervical spine arthritis, right shoulder arthritis, and left shoulder arthritis. The Veteran's symptoms of pain in his neck, shoulders, and arms during service have not been adequately addressed by the examiner.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining medical records. The issues of service connection for various disabilities are being reviewed.

The Board denied service connection for cervical dysplasia and granted service connection for dysmenorrhea and pelvic pain. Cervical dysplasia was not found to be a disability, while dysmenorrhea and pelvic pain were found to have been incurred in service.