Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and medical opinions in the previous decision. The Veteran is to be provided a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the claimed neurologic abnormalities associated with degenerative changes of the cervical spine.

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed for the vision disability issue. The claims of service connection for tinnitus, left knee disability, erectile dysfunction (secondary), obstructive sleep apnea (secondary), fatigue disorder (Gulf War service), nasal condition, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, gastrointestinal condition (due to Gulf War service), and headaches are all remanded due to the need for additional examinations or opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for an acquired psychiatric condition, a cervical spine disability, and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Board has withdrawn the claim of entitlement to service connection for a neck disability. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as service connected, with the issue remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's neck condition and right shoulder condition have been granted service connection. The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder has been increased to a 70% rating, effective from December 8, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to May 25, 2017.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, back condition (claimed as secondary to right knee disability), and neck condition (claimed as secondary to right knee disability) due to lack of evidence showing that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's cervical spine disability was aggravated by his service-connected back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder is not related to his service or any service-connected disability, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, cervical spine disability, and sleep apnea (secondary to service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine).,Service connection is also remanded for left upper extremity numbness and a left shoulder disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for cervical spine strain, service connection for bilateral flat foot, and service connection for lumbosacral strain due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to procedural errors in the initial review of his appeal.

The Veteran's neck and shoulder disabilities are related to his active service, resulting in a grant of service connection.,For the period prior to December 30, 2019, the Veteran's asthma did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disability, including whether it is related to service or secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, lower back, cervical, right ankle, and left ankle disorders are remanded due to insufficient evidence of a current disability during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional VA medical opinions to determine if the Veteran's current disabilities of the hips, shoulders, knees, and cervical spine are related to his active service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical strain, finding that it is aggravated by his service-connected degenerative changes of the lumbar spine.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for a back disability, sciatic nerve disability of the RLE, neck disability, and IBS due to duty-related injuries during active duty service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for right ankle disorder, service connection for a cervical spine disorder, and service connection for OSA as these issues were already pending before the Board.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right hip disabilities, including as secondary to his service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis, and a neck/cervical spine disability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.