Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations for his service-connected cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, neck, and stomach disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, and depression was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's cervical spine whiplash injury with subluxation of C3-4 is currently rated at 20 percent effective September 26, 2003.,Secondary service connection for radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities is granted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board has granted a higher rating. The other issues have been resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's cervical strain and lumbar strain have been granted increased ratings, while other conditions remain at their current levels or are denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of thyroid cancer and a cervical spine condition due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions provided are inadequate and requires further examination to determine if the Veteran's disabilities were caused or aggravated by service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has denied the petitions to reopen previously denied claims of service connection for an eye disorder, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, and cervical spine spondylosis. The Veteran's contentions that his conditions are related to service have not been substantiated by new evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for PTSD, IVDS of the cervical spine, and Right Shoulder Strain due to insufficient evidence or procedural issues.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for higher disability evaluations due to a withdrawal request by the appellant's authorized representative.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's request to reopen claims for PTSD and a spinal column disability is granted, but the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, a heart disability, and various joint and foot disorders. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing onset in service or continuity of symptomatology.,The Board found that the Veteran did not have current disabilities related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's neck disability, specifically whether it is related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for additional examinations and development of his claims, including service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and increased ratings for cervical and thoracolumbar spine conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current carpal tunnel syndrome is related to service, including as a result of typing as part of his duties as a radio operator.

The Board has granted an effective date of July 1, 2011 for the award of a TDIU based on service-connected disabilities that rendered the Veteran unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment as of that date.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine fracture of C2-C3, with associated radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities, renders him incapable of obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment as of April 9, 2015.,Special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) is granted for the Veteran's service-connected disabilities effective April 9, 2015.