Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including left shoulder, cervical spine, lumbar spine, sleep apnea, hypertension (claimed as light-headedness), and loss of memory. The case is therefore REMANDED.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left hand/thumb disorder, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, and right knee disorder due to inadequate opinions regarding their etiology. The decision on the left foot disorder claim is pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine due to secondary service connection. The hernia residuals claim is also remanded for a new VA examination to address limitation of motion. TDIU remains deferred pending further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical and lumbar spine disorders, tremor disorder, and psychiatric disorders to include PTSD, MDD, and GAD due to their secondary nature to service-connected traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to dress or undress himself, keep himself clean and presentable, feed himself without assistance, attend to the wants of nature, or require regular care from another person. As such, he is not in need of aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee, back, neck, and chest disability based on the Veteran's credible testimony of observable symptoms during active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and further evaluation is needed for service connection of cervical spine and low back disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine disability. The left elbow disability issue is remanded due to inadequate examination and opinion.

The Veteran's initial increased rating for cervical disability was denied, and the Board remanded several issues related to SMC. The case is now pending again.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective since May 28, 2013. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted as the limitation of motion did not meet the criteria for an increased rating.,The Veteran's cluster headaches are currently rated at 50 percent, effective since May 28, 2013. The case is remanded to determine if extraschedular consideration is warranted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for Achilles tendonitis and cervical spine disability, as well as his claim for service connection for a neck disability. The claims are also remanded to obtain an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of squamous intraepithelial lesion of the cervix and chronic cervical inflammation/dysplasia are granted, as her current symptoms are related to her in-service conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic upper respiratory infection, acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety and PTSD), degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, and cervical spine condition secondary to low back injury due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective May 26, 2011, based on the combined effects of service-connected disabilities rendering the Veteran incapable of substantial gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability and migraine headaches due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions on the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus disabilities are granted effective May 8, 2000. The back disability is denied as not related to service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee, shoulder, cervical spine, lumbar spine, and pes planus disorders. The previous denials were based on a lack of current disabilities related to military service.

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain additional private treatment records from Tricare Prime and any other relevant records. The Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her so helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person, which is granted.