Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2022

Service connection for arthritis of the lumbar spine and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine has been granted. Other service connection claims have been remanded.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including VA treatment records and examinations relevant to his conditions. The AOJ will issue a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Veteran's service connection claim for an upper back/neck disability is denied. The Veteran's TBI residuals are granted at a 10 percent rating, and his migraines associated with TBI are granted at a 50 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to conflicting opinions from a VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and tinnitus, but denied service connection for a back condition. The decision is based on the medical evidence provided.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives and outstanding VA records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability and neck disability have been denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a left shoulder disability, and concluded that there is insufficient evidence to establish service connection for either condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus secondary to bilateral hearing loss, neck disability, right shoulder disability, and right arm numbness due to the pre-existing neck and right shoulder disabilities. The decision is based on evidence showing a current disability in each condition and a link between service and these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for neck and back disabilities, effective July 15, 2021. The Veteran's claims were based on his in-service injury and subsequent development of degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the cervical spine and lumbar spine.

The appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed.,The appeal for service connection for COPD is dismissed.

The Veteran's asthma and back condition are remanded for further examination and opinion. The left leg pain claim is inextricably intertwined with the back condition claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as her combined disability rating is at least 70 percent, but she cannot secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to her PTSD and other service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings have been dismissed as the Board has already granted favorable decisions on these issues.,The Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings and SMC remain pending, and further review is required.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for back, neck, and left knee disabilities due to insufficient development and lack of adequate medical opinions.

The Board denied increased ratings for chronic cystitis, traumatic arthritis of the cervical spine, and bilateral hearing loss since November 18, 2019. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was also denied.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted as service connected. The low back and chronic pain disabilities are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings were denied. The cervical spine and left knee disabilities received new evaluations, with the left knee receiving a 60 percent rating effective November 1, 2020.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and neck disabilities due to incomplete STRs, lack of VA examination, and need for updated treatment records. The AOJ is instructed to locate missing STRs, conduct examinations if necessary, and obtain any outstanding private or VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for cervical spine and low back disabilities due to incomplete medical opinions in the April 2022 VA examination.

Service connection for cervical strain is granted, while service connection for fibroids with total hysterectomy is denied.