Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's initial rating for cervical strain was granted at 20 percent in September 2011. The Board denied an increased rating, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical and thoracolumbar spine disorders, finding that the current conditions are related to in-service injuries.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to inadequate opinions regarding herbicide agent exposure and asbestos exposure. The claims will be reviewed again with new addendum opinions.

The Veteran's lumbar, cervical, and lower extremity disabilities are granted as service-connected.,Service connection is also granted for diabetes mellitus, type II, to include as secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for prior to November 20, 2014 was denied as he did not meet the schedular criteria and there is no evidence of unemployability due solely to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical disc disease/ spondylosis is found to be the cause of his current peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, warranting a grant of service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's request to reopen the claim of service connection for GERD has been granted. The Board has also remanded issues related to bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, a neck disability, and right shoulder disability. Additionally, the issue of an earlier effective date for the grant of a 100 percent rating for PTSD is also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining private dermatology records and a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of his cervical spine ankylosing spondylitis.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left ankle disability and cervical spine disability due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and left upper extremity radiculopathy due to inadequate compliance with prior remand directives. The AOJ is instructed to obtain legible copies of the Veteran's STRs, schedule a VA examination, and provide an opinion on the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has dismissed all claims related to service connection for various disabilities, as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for cervical spine degenerative disk disease. The Veteran's claim for service connection for REM-associated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety or depressive disorder), cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability due to a lack of current diagnosis and insufficient evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is being remanded for a new VA examination due to the increase in severity since his last examination.,The cervical spine disability and RUE condition are also being remanded, with requests for an addendum opinion on secondary service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, a cervical spine disability, and migraine headaches as secondary to the cervical spine disability.,Reasoning: The evidence supports a finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's right leg shin splints have been granted service connection. The claims for left hand disability, muscle inflammation, right shoulder disability, and left shoulder disability are all denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to constipation, and the right wrist scars were not painful or unstable. The TDIU claim was remanded due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's employment status.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder, thoracolumbar spine, and cervical spine. The Veteran's current diagnoses are consistent with these conditions, and there is evidence that the stress from carrying heavy loads during active duty led to his current disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and cervical spine disability, finding that there was not sufficient evidence to establish a link between these conditions and his active-duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his cervical spine, right shoulder, and bilateral knee disorders.