Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has a current neck disability and its relationship to active service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for a cervical spine disorder, as well as addressing whether the Veteran's current knee disabilities are related to his military service. The issues of service connection for right and left knee disabilities remain denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate etiological opinions in a previous VA examination. The Veteran's neck disability and cervical radiculopathy need to be evaluated again.

The Board has granted an initial 30 percent rating for the Veteran's neck disability, effective from the date of the decision. The evidence showed that the Veteran's neck disability resulted in forward flexion to 15 degrees or less, without unfavorable ankylosis.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted as service connected, and the appeal for TDIU is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disease of the cervical spine and lumbosacral strain due to outstanding private treatment records and an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of his current conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine strain, cervical spine strain, and left ankle strain due to insufficient examination reports. The Veteran testified about flare-ups of his conditions but the examiners did not account for this in their assessments.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional examinations and opinions to determine if the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his service, including any in-service injuries.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine disability, finding no evidence of chronic condition in service or continuity of symptoms since service. The Veteran's neck pain was first noted years after service and not related to his in-service injury.

The Board has found that the claims for service connection and increased ratings must be remanded due to insufficient opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's cervical spine disability and his service-connected orthopedic disabilities. Additional development is required, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a qualified orthopedic physician.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent, effective October 6, 2020. The RO granted an earlier effective date of July 2, 2014, for the cervical spine disability.,The Veteran's left and right thumb disabilities are each rated at 10 percent, effective November 1, 2012. Separate ratings were assigned for her urinary incontinence, bilateral foot disability, and cervical spine disability.,The Veteran's bilateral pes cavus with bilateral plantar fasciitis is currently rated as 50 percent disabling.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and right upper extremity radiculopathy have been granted service connection. The right knee disability is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including rating determinations and service connection for various conditions. The case is returned to the AOJ for initial review of new evidence.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is now rated at 70 percent effective May 27, 2021.,Service connection for residuals of fracture second vertebra, C2, cervical spine (neck) has been granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection of lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, and tinnitus. The Board found that there is sufficient evidence to support these claims as they are related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and reviewing VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded three issues related to increased ratings for various knee and cervical spine conditions due to the submission of new evidence since the last Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's atrophy of the vastus intermedius muscle laterally along a remote surgical incision is granted as service-connected. The cervical spine disability (Klippel-Feil syndrome) is also granted as service-connected, but only for its congenital nature and not due to any in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for neck and left ankle disabilities due to repetitive heavy lifting during military service. The Veteran's VA treatment records indicate chronic symptoms, but a medical opinion is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's neck, back, hip, and thigh disabilities, as well as his depressive disorder. The remand requests additional examinations and opinions to address functional impairment and historical severity of these conditions.