Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a right knee meniscal tear, status post meniscectomy is granted. The issues of service connection for sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction, low back disability, and cervical spine disability are remanded.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of April 17, 2012 for the award of a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a cervical spine disability and sleep apnea due to insufficient examination opinions. The VA examinations must provide more detailed nexus opinions considering the Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptoms.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU from December 16, 2016 due to her service-connected disabilities making it impossible for her to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for low back, left shoulder, right shoulder, cervical spine arthritis, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities due to the benefit of doubt being afforded to the Veteran's claims.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraine headaches, low back disability, cervical spine disability, left knee disability, and right ankle disability. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also being remanded due to its inextricability with other issues on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine disability, finding that it is related to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical spine and right shoulder disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diverticulosis, rib disability, cervical spine disability, and right shoulder disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral eye disability and cervical spine disability, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The claim for TDIU was also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck pain and lower back injury due to insufficient evidence in the record, including missing STRs and private treatment records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine and right hip disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease, and that any current disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to incomplete compliance with previous directives and because of the inextricably intertwined nature of the cervical spine disability claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical spine disability, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and military service or any service-connected disabilities. The Board also found insufficient medical evidence to support a secondary service connection based on his right tibia disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and dental disability due to lack of VA examination, incomplete medical records, and need for SSA records.

The Veteran's lumbar spine, cervical spine, and right leg radiculopathy disabilities are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's right knee disability is granted as service-connected. The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted at a 30 percent rating effective November 4, 2021.

The Veteran's service connection claims for spondylosis of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, memory loss, and insomnia are granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic headaches is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its relationship to service. The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction is also remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding its relationship to service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral knee disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and cervical spine disorder due to incomplete records and untranslated documents.

The Veteran's neck disability is rated at 40 percent, which includes the rating for moderate incomplete paralysis of the right and left upper extremities. The claim for increased ratings for left knee degenerative arthritis and instability are denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, which includes major depressive disorder and a cervical spine disorder, is rated at 70 percent from January 31, 2013. The left knee chondromalacia, right knee instability, and cervical spine disorders are remanded for further evaluation.