Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and conducting further examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, left foot, and bilateral plantar fasciitis. The conditions are related to in-service injuries and symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating increase for his back condition, service connection for a cervical spine condition as secondary to his back condition, and TDIU due to service-connected conditions. The AOJ is instructed to obtain pertinent medical records and schedule the Veteran for examinations to determine the nature and severity of his back condition and the etiology of his cervical spine condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial rating of 70 percent for his acquired psychiatric disorder is granted. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for the same condition is denied. New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a cervical strain (now also claimed as a neck disability). Service connection for PTSD, tinea versicolor, and sinusitis is denied. Service connection for other conditions related to Gulf War exposures and other hazardous exposure is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, cervical neck disorder, and left ear hearing loss due to incomplete factual records and need for additional opinions.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's reports of injury and treatment.,Service connection is denied for a back disability (lumbar spine disability) as there is no evidence of chronic disease during service or within the applicable presumptive period, and continuity of symptomatology is not established.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and tinnitus has been granted. The remaining issues are remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was restored to a 20 percent rating from the date of reduction.,A 20 percent rating for his cervical spine disability remains in effect.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for respiratory and cervical spine disabilities, as well as increased ratings for his low back and lower extremity radiculopathy. The appeals are now pending again due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative changes at C5-C6 and C6-C7, as well as his right upper extremity radiculopathy, are granted service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development on several issues, including service connection for a right knee condition secondary to his left patella chondromalacia and increased ratings for cervical spine disability, radiculopathy of the upper extremities, and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and lack of consideration of all relevant exposure allegations. The claims are being returned for further action.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for endocervicitis, lower back condition, and neck disability were denied due to her failure to report for necessary VA examinations.

The Veteran's TBI and related headaches are granted as service-connected.,A cervical spine condition is also granted as service-connected, likely due to an in-service injury.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability and remanded the skin disability claim. The cervical spine disability was denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease, and the current condition is not related to active duty service. For the skin disability, the VA examiner found no evidence that it started during or was caused by military service, nor was it related to exposure to paints and chemicals used in the MOS.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine disability as secondary to his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and a disability rating have been dismissed because he opted his legacy appeal into the modernized review system (AMA).

The Veteran's lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities are granted service connection, but his sleep apnea is denied. The case for the cervical spine disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various peripheral neuropathies and a neck disability have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and active duty service.,Service connection was not granted for essential thrombocythemia, neck disability, back disability, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, or right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.