Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for neck disability and hypertension due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed again, including obtaining additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between his disabilities and military service.

The Board denied service connection for an eye disability and a neck disability, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus to active duty service or service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's service connection claims for cervical spine arthritis, thoracolumbar spine arthritis, right shoulder arthritis, left shoulder arthritis, right elbow arthritis, left elbow arthritis, right wrist arthritis, left wrist arthritis, right hip arthritis, and left hip arthritis have all been denied.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The claims for asthma, neck disability, initial compensable rating for left ear (now bilateral) hearing loss, and a rating in excess of 20 percent thereafter for intervertebral disc disease with degenerative arthritis of the spine are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for deviated nasal septum, sleep apnea, narcolepsy, cervicalgia/neck pain, and headaches due to a lack of nexus opinions in her case. The issues are being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's low back disability, cervical spine disorder, and right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy have been granted increased ratings. Additionally, the Veteran has been granted TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine condition, finding that the evidence did not support a link between his current condition and his active military service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability, entitlement to TDIU before December 9, 2013, and DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 due to insufficient rationale in the previous VA medical opinion.

The claim for service connection of an upper neck disability is reopened and remanded due to new evidence suggesting a possible link between the condition and head injuries sustained during active service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to additional development being required, including reviewing translated documents submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to outstanding records and need for additional medical examinations. The issues include hemorrhoids, stomach disability, heartburn, neck disability, TBI, headache (migraine), left testicle disability, acquired psychiatric disorder, and sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's cervical spine, left shoulder, and right elbow disabilities are being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including neck disability, bilateral shoulder and elbow disabilities, wrist disabilities, hip disabilities, carpal tunnel syndrome, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional service treatment records from October 1979 to July 2000 and request opinions on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine was denied as there is no evidence showing compensable manifestations during the one-year period prior to July 10, 2012. For the period from July 10, 2012, to December 12, 2021, a rating in excess of 20 percent was denied as there is no evidence showing forward flexion of the cervical spine to 15 degrees or less or ankylosis of the cervical spine. For the period beginning December 13, 2021, a rating in excess of 30 percent was denied as there is no evidence showing unfavorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine.

The Board has denied service connection for left hand and wrist arthritis, as well as right hand and wrist arthritis, both secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability. The remaining issues of musculoskeletal and genitourinary disabilities have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA opinions addressing direct and secondary service connection for a cervical spine disability. The Veteran contends his current condition is related to military service or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back and cervical spine conditions due to insufficient medical evidence to decide the claim. A VA examination is needed to determine if these disabilities are related to service, including a motor vehicle accident.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been reopened, and the issues of service connection for cervical spine disability and thoracic spine disability have been remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of notification for a VA examination, and additional development is required.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of new evidence. The Board will evaluate all claims in light of the updated information.