Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical and lumbar spine disorders have been denied as the evidence does not show that his conditions meet or approximate the criteria for a rating more than 30 percent for the cervical spine disorder, or a rating more than 20 percent for the lumbar spine disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and cervical spine due to inadequate medical opinions regarding secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, depression, sleep disturbance, and cervical spine disability have been granted. The claim for a cervical spine disability was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's cervical spine condition is caused or aggravated by his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the thoracic spine. Additional VA examination and records are needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to unresolved issues regarding his shoulder, hip, back, and neck disabilities.

The Veteran's left knee disability, osteoarthritis with a meniscal tear, is caused by his service-connected lumbosacral strain. The cervical spine and left ankle disabilities are not addressed in this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy are not related to service, and therefore, denied both claims.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is being remanded due to inadequate examination opinions. The examiner must provide a detailed rationale for all opinions, including citations to the relevant medical literature and service treatment records.,The neurological disabilities of the upper extremities are also being remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for plantar fasciitis of the left foot is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic strain of the cervical spine is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is remanded due to the need for a new VA opinion regarding the relationship between her tinnitus and her service-connected cervical spine disability.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for Gulf War illness, CFS, and metabolic syndrome are all remanded due to the need for additional development including verification of periods of active duty and examination by a medical professional.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is remanded due to the need for a new VA opinion regarding the relationship between her symptoms and any diagnosed conditions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for metabolic syndrome is remanded due to the need for a new VA opinion regarding the relationship between her symptoms and any diagnosed conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as left knee disability, due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's right knee disability is already service-connected.

The Board has determined that the VA addendum medical opinions obtained in August 2020 are inadequate for adjudication purposes and requires additional medical comment. The claims of service connection for a right shoulder disability, to include as secondary to a cervical spine disability, and for a cervical spine disability, to include as secondary to a service-connected lumbar spine disability, are remanded.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations conducted in March 2018 are insufficient for adjudicating the service connection claims. The Veteran's current disabilities are associated with his active duty, and further examination is needed to determine if any of these conditions clearly and unmistakably pre-existed his service or were aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical strain, right upper extremity radiculopathy secondary to cervical strain, and left lower extremity radiculopathy (claimed as a left thigh disability) secondary to lumbosacral strain. The Veteran's current disabilities are rated at 10% each.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of forward flexion or ankylosis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical strain, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical strain, left knee bipartite patella with degenerative joint disease, and right knee bipartite patella with degenerative joint disease are all being remanded for further development due to inadequate examination reports.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, lumbar spine, and bilateral kidney disabilities due to in-service injuries. Additional medical records are needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for an updated opinion on the combined functional impact of his service-connected disabilities prior to October 2, 2019. Additionally, updated SSA records are needed.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including malaria and its residuals, chloracne, cataracts, knee disabilities, jaw glands, polyps, cervical spine disability, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, diverticulitis, diabetes mellitus type II, fibromyalgia, lumbar spine disability, and left lower extremity neuropathy. The Board found no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has determined that the complete service records have not been obtained and a remand is necessary to obtain them. Additionally, a VA examination with an opinion is needed to determine the nature, etiology, and severity of the Veteran's claimed lumbar spine, right foot, thoracic spine, and shoulder disabilities.