Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was granted a 30% rating prior to March 19, 2020. After that date, the claim for an increased rating is denied.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder resulted in a TDIU from September 21, 2017.

The Board has found that additional medical opinions are needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's ball of the right foot disability, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, and osteoarthritis of the right hip. The claims are being remanded for these purposes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical neck disability, left shoulder disability, lumbar disability, right lower extremity disability, and left lower extremity disability due to incomplete examinations and lack of military personnel records. Additional evidence is needed before a determination can be made.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for increased evaluations for his cervical spine disability due to concerns about whether extraschedular evaluations are warranted. The case will be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's cervical spine disability is related to service. The VA must provide a new opinion that considers the Veteran's lay statements and a chiropractor's letter.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to their active-duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service fall injury.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and incomplete review of his medical records. The claims are now pending with VA.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability and a lumbar spine disability, including lumbar disc herniation at L4-L5 status post laminectomy, spondylosis and right sided radiculopathy. The Veteran's cervical spine disability was found not to be related to his active duty service or any other condition. His lumbar spine disability was also not found to be directly related to his active duty service.,The Board concluded that the Veteran did not have a compensable degree of cervical spine disability within one year after discharge and there was no evidence of chronicity of care, complaints, or treatment during service.

The Veteran's neck, back, and bilateral wrist disabilities have been granted service connection. The right ankle, left ankle, and left knee disabilities are being remanded for further examination.,Bilateral fallen arches has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, cervical spine disability, and radiculopathy of the left upper extremity are all granted service connection. The claims were initially denied in a November 2010 rating decision but have been reconsidered due to additional evidence obtained after that decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of her cervical spine disorder, right ankle disorder, dizziness or unsteadiness, and left ankle strain. The matters are also inextricably intertwined with each other.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to issues raised in a Joint Motion for Remand (JMR). The Veteran is seeking service connection for cervical spine, right ankle, left ankle, and right heel disabilities. The case will be returned to the RO for further review.

Service connection is granted for cervical strain, to include cervical disc herniation.,Service connection is also granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and anxiety).,Temporary total evaluation (TTE) for convalescence following October 27, 2017, neck surgery is remanded.,Service connection is remanded for a scar, status post appendectomy.,Service connection is also remanded for migraines, to include as secondary to service-connected neck condition.

The Board has granted the challenge to the propriety of the overpayment in the amount of $21,851 and dismissed the claim for a waiver of this debt.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and to obtain updated VA treatment records. The TDIU claim will be held in abeyance until the increased rating issue is resolved.

The Veteran's ageusia (complete loss of the sense of taste) is granted with a 10 percent evaluation prior to June 14, 2021. The issue of service connection for a neck disability remains remanded.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to its inextricability with other claims, including service connection for right ankle, cervical spine, and chronic dizziness/unsteadiness disorders. The effective dates and ratings for left ankle will be addressed separately.

The Board has remanded several claims, including those for service connection and evaluation of PTSD, as well as the reopening of other claims. The heart disability claim is also being remanded due to potential VA treatment records not having been obtained.

The Board has denied service connection for cervical spine disability, residuals of injury middle back, and bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran's claim for bibasilar fibrosis due to Agent Orange exposure is remanded for further development.