Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's left ankle condition, including achilles tendonitis and degenerative arthritis, was not shown as chronic in service or related to an in-service injury. The Board denied service connection for this condition.,There is no evidence of a current residual of the right eye chemical burn by exposure to jet fuel. Service connection for residuals of the right eye chemical burn was denied.,The Veteran's neck disability, presumed due to his service-connected spinal condition, was not shown as chronic in service or related to an in-service injury. The Board remanded this issue.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to procedural issues, lack of adequate medical opinions, and need for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and etiology of his cervical spine and left hip disabilities, which may be related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for medical opinion regarding the onset of right and left cervical spine radiculopathy, as well as its relationship to service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy have been granted. The Board found a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable from June 5, 2017, to February 21, 2018. The Board granted TDIU during this period.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations in October 2019. Additional VA examinations are needed to assess the severity of the Veteran's conditions, including during flare-ups and on repetitive use.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disability as secondary to his service-connected TMJ dysfunction, finding that there is no probative and credible medical evidence showing that the neck disability was proximately due to or aggravated by his TMJ dysfunction.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's neck disability, including whether it is related to service or secondary to other conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine degenerative joint disease, varicocele, and an increased rating for psoriasis, tinea pedis, and tinea corporis due to new evidence submitted since the last denial.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are being remanded due to her failure to appear for scheduled VA examinations. The Board finds good cause and will schedule another examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the Veteran's cervical spine conditions and their relation to his service-connected cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis. The Veteran is asked to provide any additional evidence, and a new examination will be scheduled to assess these issues.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of November 23, 2014 for the award of service connection for a right knee disability. The cases regarding higher initial ratings for nephrolithiasis and cervical spine disability are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, as well as increased ratings for his low back disability, cervical spine disability, sciatic radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, and radiculopathy of the left upper extremity. The primary reasons were that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his service-connected disabilities or any other known risk factors.

The Board has determined that more development is necessary to determine the nature and extent of any employment during the pendency of this appeal, as well as the etiology of the Veteran's cervical and thoracolumbar spine conditions. The claims for service connection are being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment for the specified periods, warranting a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of her anxiety disorder, low back pain, neck disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to potential changes in her condition since the last VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional back, left shoulder, and neck disabilities caused by an MRI conducted at a VA facility in August 2014, finding no evidence of additional disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss has been reopened, and he is now entitled to a 60 percent disability rating for prostate cancer. His erectile dysfunction is also granted, but at a non-compensable level.,His cervical spine condition remains denied, as does his tinnitus. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hearing loss, prostate cancer, and cervical spine condition.,The Veteran's prostate cancer was previously rated at 100 percent, but that rating is now reduced to 20 percent due to a lack of recurrence or metastasis. His erectile dysfunction remains non-compensable.