Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and clarification of opinions regarding his cervical degenerative arthritis. The issues of increased rating and TDIU are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back, neck, left and right knee disabilities, as well as his hypertension, are related to his active duty service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and his military service. The Board also denied service connection for bilateral foot disabilities as they were not shown to be related to or aggravated by service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete testing and lack of specific opinions regarding functional loss, flare-ups, ankylosis, and radiculopathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to April 9, 2014. From April 9, 2014, the Veteran is in receipt of a combined disability rating of 100 percent, which moots any TDIU claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for low back and neck disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are due to injuries sustained during his active duty service.

The appeal for service connection of a cervical spine disability is dismissed.,Service connection for bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy is denied.,An initial compensable rating (10%) is granted for service-connected nephrolithiasis.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hand disabilities, as carpal tunnel and Raynaud's syndrome, due to conflicting medical opinions and a need for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and need for further examination. The issues of cervical spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, gastritis and gastroesophageal reflux disease, and tinnitus are inextricably intertwined with the lumbar spine disability claim.

The Board denied service connection for neck and back disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions did not have onset in service or until many years thereafter and were not related to service.,The Board found no credible evidence of a chronic condition in service and noted the lack of treatment records indicating ongoing symptoms since service.

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

The Board has remanded the case for additional examination and opinion regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The cervical spine disorder claim is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and left shoulder disability are remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating higher than 20 percent for his right foot condition is dismissed. The request to reopen the claim for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability is granted, and the issues of service connection for left shoulder, cervical spine, bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorder (acquired psychiatric disability), and right knee disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected mental disabilities, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for cervicalgia and left elbow disability manifested by pain, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a neck/cervical spine disability, finding that there was no direct evidence linking his current condition to his military service. The Board also found insufficient evidence of continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has determined that there is no current left knee disability and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection. The right knee, left shoulder, right shoulder, cervical spine, and lumbar spine issues are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals during a hearing.,The claim for service connection for tinnitus has been reopened due to new evidence, but it remains denied.