Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the issues of increased evaluations for cervical spine disability, left and right upper extremity radiculopathy due to additional development being needed. The Veteran may have outstanding treatment records that need to be obtained, and a new VA examination is required to evaluate the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to errors in denying service connection on a direct basis without explaining why an examination and opinion considering direct service connection was not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine condition and cervical spine condition has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The Board has decided that remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased rating, and compensation for hypertension are being remanded due to the need for further development including VA examinations.

The Veteran's neck, bilateral upper extremities, and bilateral lower extremities disabilities are granted as direct service connection due to continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has remanded the issue of TDIU due to outstanding private chiropractic records related to the service-connected neck disability not being submitted within one year after the request.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for bilateral pes planus, cervical spine disability, and thoracolumbar spine disability are denied. The right knee claim is dismissed.,The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, and right knee disabilities due to insufficient examination findings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including cervical spondylosis, upper extremity radiculopathy, and left eye injury, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since January 19, 2018. The Board has granted TDIU from that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for insomnia is denied as the symptomology is considered duplicative of their already granted service-connected sleep apnea and residuals of a traumatic brain injury. The Board has also remanded issues related to cervical spine disability, carpal tunnel syndrome (right upper extremity), carpal tunnel syndrome (left upper extremity), and a residual scar for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to inadequate assessments of functional loss during flare-ups in prior examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his disabilities due to inadequate opinions in some cases, and requests for additional medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and reliance on an outdated VA examination report. The Veteran's cervical stenosis is being reviewed for a new examination that addresses his lay reports of in-service onset of symptoms and the September 1977 service treatment record.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as a right shoulder disability. The reasons are that the opinions provided by the VA examiner were insufficient and further examination is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine disability (including degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome), thoracolumbar spine disability (including intervertebral disc syndrome), and right hip disability. The claims were reopened due to new evidence provided by the Veteran.

The Board has found that additional development is required for the Veteran's claims of service connection for back and neck disabilities, as secondary to his service-connected bilateral shoulder disability. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were reopened, and the appeals are granted for neck disability and left shoulder disability. The claim for wrist disability remains denied.

Service connection for COPD is granted. Service connection for a neck disability is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for kidney disability, hypertension, back disability, and neck disability due to inadequate examinations and opinions. The cases are now pending for further development.