Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine on a direct basis. However, it denied restoration of the PTSD rating from 70 to 30 percent effective January 1, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of his left knee disorder and cervical spine/neck disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU has been dismissed as the matter was specifically withdrawn by his attorney. The issues of TDIU have been dismissed for both time periods from July 3, 2008 to present and November 14, 2006 to July 2, 2008.

The Veteran's TDIU due solely to a service-connected TBI is granted as of March 25, 2013. SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1134 is granted from March 27, 2015, to May 8, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and cervical spine disability due to further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral flat feet, bilateral heel spurs, low back disability, left knee disability, and neck disability. The claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left ankle, right ankle, left knee, right knee, right hip, left hip, thoracolumbar spine disorder (previously claimed as a spinal injury), and cervical spine disorder (previously claimed as a spinal injury).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for back and neck disabilities were denied because the submitted evidence did not provide a medical nexus between an in-service incident and their current diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of full reevaluation by the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor and incomplete VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim for additional VR&E benefits is being reviewed based on his current education, work experience, and transferable skills.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine and thoracolumbar spine disorders due to insufficient evidence in the record, particularly regarding a VA examination.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is not service-connected as it was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's headache disability is service-connected as it is aggravated by his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability on a direct basis, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing condition was aggravated by his in-service duties.

All issues related to service connection have been either granted in full or finally denied by the Board without subsequent appeal.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a peripheral nerve condition, including cervical radiculopathy and/or peripheral neuropathy as due to herbicide exposure, is denied. The Board found no direct or presumptive evidence linking the current condition to his military service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary for the Veteran to be afforded another VA medical examination regarding her service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) and cervical strain. The issues of entitlement to an increased disability evaluation in excess of 20 percent for IVDS, lumbosacral, and service connection for cervical strain are also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the bilateral hips and Degenerative Arthritis of the cervical spine, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine and lumbosacral spine disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities for the period from September 27, 2012 to December 28, 2015 and for the period from December 29, 2015 to present.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development and readjudication due to outstanding VA treatment records, Social Security Administration disability benefit records, and a need for an examination to determine the etiology of his left ear hearing loss.

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of increased disability evaluations for lumbosacral spine strain and cervical spine strain, as well as her claim for a total rating based on individual employability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU). The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations and provide any authorized medical records. If her TDIU claim is granted, it could significantly impact the outcome of her increased disability evaluation claims.