Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to exposure to burn pits and other toxins during his military service, including his MOS as a vehicle repairer. The case will be reviewed with additional medical opinions considering the synergistic effect of all toxic exposures.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disorder, which is claimed as secondary to service-connected chronic lumbar muscular strain.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability and a neck disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine, lumbar spine, and right hand disabilities did not begin during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease. Service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran withdrew from appeal all issues related to service connection for various disabilities and an increased rating, resulting in the dismissal of these appeals.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck disability, diagnosed as cervical strain, degenerative arthritis of the spine, and spinal stenosis, is service-connected. The decision was based on credible lay statements regarding continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left shoulder condition, headache condition, cervical spine condition, lumbar strain, and bilateral knee conditions. Additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including adjustment disorder with depressed mood and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, prevented him from maintaining substantially gainful employment from September 25, 2019, to December 22, 2022. The Board granted a TDIU for this period based on the combined disability rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for cervical strain and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder due to lack of evidence of current disability. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's inguinal hernia, bilateral foot disorder, and concussion.

The Board has granted service connection for a TMJ disorder and remanded the issue of service connection for a cervical spine disorder.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a cervical spine disability was granted. The TDIU claim was also granted, and the issues related to left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, left ankle disability, left foot disability, and right foot disability were remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss, bilateral shoulder disabilities, lumbar spine disability, neck disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran will need to undergo additional medical examinations and provide any necessary authorization for private records.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder (to include as secondary to bilateral pes planus) due to inadequate previous opinions and need for further development. The Veteran's neck pain is being evaluated in relation to her already-service-connected fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of cervical spine disability was denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted within one year of the April 2017 rating decision.,Service connection for a pulmonary disability, hypertension, joint pain, muscle pain, digestive condition (irritable bowel syndrome and diverticulosis), cardiac condition, and hepatic condition were all remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities, as well as his right foot conditions (Morton's neuroma and hallux rigidus), are being remanded for additional development including VA examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for neck sprain with cervical radiculopathy, finding that the current disability is directly related to a neck injury sustained during service.

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim for entitlement to service connection for a headache disability is granted. The application to reopen the previously denied claim for entitlement to service connection for a cervical spine disability is denied.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities have precluded his substantial and gainful employment since December 28, 2011. The Board finds that the schedular criteria for a TDIU rating have been met.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and cervical spine disabilities, as they are related to his service-connected right shoulder disability. The VA will obtain all relevant medical records and provide a new opinion from an appropriate examiner.