Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, finding that these conditions are related to his active duty service. The claims were reopened due to new evidence submitted since the last denial.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 20% and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 10% and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's Type II Diabetes Mellitus is granted service connection. The cervical spine disability issue is remanded for further action.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of lumbar spine, cervical spine, and psychiatric disabilities as secondary to his service-connected right shoulder injury.

The Board denied service connection for cervical and thoracic spine disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions did not begin during service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of heart disability, right elbow disability, and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed. The appeal for service connection of a right-hand disability is remanded due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II, bilateral neuropathy of the legs, and TDIU are being remanded as there is insufficient information regarding his military service in Vietnam.,The Veteran's appeals for chronic sinusitis, cervical spine disability, bilateral arm radiculopathy, and allergic rhinitis are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's appeal for TDIU prior to January 15, 2020 is being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with other claims that require further development.,,,

The Board denied service connection for cervical neck disorders, right upper extremity disorders, and left upper extremity disorders due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions began during or were related to active service.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for back and neck disabilities due to insufficient evidence in the VA examination report.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals for service connection and TDIU related to low back condition, hypertension, breast cancer, type II diabetes mellitus, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome affecting both upper extremities, and entitlement to a total disability evaluation due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection was dismissed due to withdrawal of the right knee claim, and his cervical spine disability claim was denied. His lumbosacral strain received initial and subsequent rating decisions.

The Veteran's cervical strain and degenerative disc disease (DDD) are granted service connection.,Left mastoid sinus disease is granted a separate rating, but not in excess of the current noncompensable rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for a thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity, and carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity due to potential service connection issues related to aggravation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and to obtain relevant treatment records, including those from non-VA providers. The issues of rating cervical spine disability, right shoulder disability, and right elbow disability are being remanded due to the possibility of material worsening since the last VA examination in February 2018.

The Board has determined that the VA's remand instructions were not followed and thus, the case must be returned to the RO for further development. The Veteran seeks service connection for a cervical spine disability either as directly related to his service or as caused by his service-connected low back disability.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, cervical spine disability, thoracic spine disability, low back disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, traumatic brain injury (TBI), headache disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy as the evidence did not support a causal relationship between these conditions and service.,The Board found that there was no credible evidence of an in-service injury or incident related to the claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for persistent depressive disorder has been dismissed. The Board has remanded the remaining issues of service connection for various conditions, including left shoulder degenerative arthritis, cervical spine condition, and ankle, knee, foot, thigh, and back conditions.

The Veteran's melanoma and eczematoid dermatitis are granted service connection. The Board finds the asthma, bilateral plantar fasciitis, cervical spine disability, headaches, and OSA issues need further development due to conflicting evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disability. The appeal will be returned for further development and consideration.

Service connection for COPD is granted from August 10, 2022, due to exposure to fine particulate matter during service in the Persian Gulf. The Veteran's PTSD and hypertension are not rated higher.