Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for carotid pseudoaneurysm and cervical spine disability. The case is being remanded to obtain VA examinations and review of records.

The claim for service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability, cervical spine disability, hearing loss disability, and arthralgia has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claims are granted.

The Veteran's cervical strain and right upper extremity radiculopathy have been granted ratings of 20 percent for the entire period on appeal.,A compensable rating (20 percent) has been granted for right upper extremity radiculopathy from November 10, 2015 to October 2, 2016, and a higher rating (40 percent) thereafter.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine and low back disabilities due to incomplete development of her military records, including those from active duty for training (ADT) and inactive duty for training (IDT).

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions. The issues of service connection for Tourette's syndrome, left ankle fracture as secondary to Meniere's syndrome with peripheral vestibular disorder, trigeminal neuralgia (face), thoracic syringomyelia (back), cervical spine disability, left hip disability, and right hip disability are being considered.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypothyroidism, neck disability, low back disability, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left carpal tunnel syndrome, and bilateral plantar fasciitis have all been granted.,Service connection has been established for these conditions based on their direct relationship to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical strain and a right knee condition are being remanded due to failure to report for VA examinations.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the failure to obtain an adequate medical opinion and scheduling issues. The appeal will be remanded for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current thoracolumbar spine disorder and cervical spine disorder are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment from October 1, 2017, to December 17, 2021. Since then, his combined rating is 100%, making the TDIU claim moot.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical spine injury with chronic pain should be remanded to allow for a VA examination and opinion.

The Board has denied service connection for a lumbar spine condition and a cervical spine condition, finding that the current disabilities are not related to service.

The Board denied service connection for back, neck, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or the one-year presumptive period.,Service connection was not granted as there is no credible evidence supporting the Veteran's claims that his current disabilities were incurred during military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to obtain medical opinions regarding his cervical spine disability, right and left ankle disabilities, and foot disabilities. The issues of entitlement to service connection for these conditions are now before the Board.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective January 3, 2012. The issue has been rendered moot as the Veteran is now receiving benefits for his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of cervical spine surgery, finding that his pre-existing cervical spine disability clearly and unmistakably existed prior to his Reserve service and was not aggravated by any period of active duty or ACDUTRA.

The Board has denied service connection for low back, neck, and right shoulder disabilities due to a lack of in-service event, disease, or injury related to these conditions.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities have been granted initial ratings, with the cervical spine disability receiving a 30% rating effective December 21, 2010. The thoracolumbar spine disability received a 40% rating effective October 22, 2012.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for various conditions, including a right shoulder disability, bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claims are not currently granted as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected Cervical Intra-Epithelial (CIN) III/human papillomavirus (HPV) is rated as noncompensable. The Board has ordered remand for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of her condition and determine if she has lost use of one or more creative organs due to her service-connected conditions. Additionally, the Veteran's entitlement to SMC(k) based on loss of use of a creative organ is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence in the March 2013 VA examination report, specifically regarding range of motion loss and repetitive use over time. The Veteran needs a retrospective medical opinion from an appropriate examiner.