Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's cause of death was listed as hypertension, but the appellant contends that his true cause of death was head trauma from repeated falls. The VA medical opinions found no nexus between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar, thoracic, and cervical spine disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations. The examinations did not adequately address the Veteran's in-service experiences or his reported pain.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, migraine headaches, left knee osteoarthritis, and right toe disabilities, were found to be severe enough to prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment from July 28, 2014 to November 1, 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine traumatic arthritis and thoracolumbar spine chronic mechanical syndrome, left knee chondromalacia of the patella, right knee osteoarthritis to include ACL deficiency, and headaches as secondary to service-connected cervical spine traumatic arthritis.,The Veteran's diagnoses are supported by medical opinions linking his conditions to military service.

The Veteran's use of a wheelchair and forearm crutches for service-connected disabilities is granted as a clothing allowance for 2018. The use of a urine bag does not meet the criteria for a clothing allowance.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for cervical spondylosis prior to January 23, 2020 due to inadequate examination and need for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate examinations and further development is required.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical strain and thoracolumbar strain, finding that the Veteran's current neck and back disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee condition, neck condition (claimed as cervical strain), and back condition due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which are currently considered directly related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection. The Veteran's claims for neck disability, head injury residuals, shoulder disabilities, and headaches are being reviewed again as the VA examiners did not consider the lay evidence of record.

The Veteran's application to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for a head injury (TBI) is granted. Service connection for a cervical spine disorder is granted, but the issue of service connection for TBI is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including heart, neck, low back, shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, and ankle disabilities. The evidence did not establish a relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's period of active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a supplemental VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's cervical disability is at least as likely as not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected IVDS of the thoracolumbar spine.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various hip, neck, back, shoulder, elbow, and ankle disabilities due to credible testimony of in-service injuries sustained during combat duty. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spondylosis, finding that the Veteran's neck pain began during his military service and is related to overuse injury.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim of service connection for right hip osteoarthritis and granted it. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and cervical spine disability were denied. The case is remanded for further development regarding the right hip osteoarthritis secondary to knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability, back disability, and tinnitus. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's current neck disability, back disability, and tinnitus. The Board found that these conditions are related to in-service injuries or exposures.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is granted a 20 percent rating, but not higher. The cervical spine disability is denied any increase in rating. Radiculopathy ratings are also granted for the lower and upper extremities.

The Veteran's TBI, cervical spine disorder, OSA, and DM have been granted a rating of 10 percent each. Service connection has been denied for these conditions.