Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate medical opinions and other procedural issues.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical spine disability as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability due to a lack of medical evidence supporting this theory.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability due to issues with the previous VA examination and opinions, including concerns about the examiner's qualifications and the need for additional medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete VA examination reports.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the Veteran's claims for neck, back, right knee, left knee, right shoulder, and left shoulder disabilities. The claims are being remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, right thigh disability, and left shoulder disability are all remanded for further evaluation. The VA will schedule examinations to assess the severity of these conditions and determine if they are related to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD claim is dismissed. Service connection for a lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and residuals of a right thumb fracture are granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical strain and dorsal and low back strain have been denied. The criteria for a higher rating were not met based on the current evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and a right foot disability as secondary to a cervical spine disability due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and additional development is required.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the cervical spine and left shoulder disability claims due to inadequate medical opinions. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has granted an initial rating of at least 30 percent for the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine strain with DDD, effective from May 1, 2011.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder, low back disorder, and right arm disorder as the evidence did not support a nexus to service or secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected patellofemoral syndrome with degenerative osteoarthritis of the right knee is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's service-connected limitation of flexion from patellofemoral syndrome, right knee, does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the cervical spine disability claim due to incomplete information regarding the Veteran's service in the Army National Guard of Puerto Rico and outstanding private medical records. The VA examiner is requested to provide an opinion on the etiology of the current cervical spine disability, including whether it is related to active service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for a lumbar disorder and a cervical neck disorder due to insufficient evidence in the record regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantial gainful employment, leading the Board to grant his claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine and left forearm and elbow disabilities due to a lack of VA examination and service records.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease with IVDS of the lumbar spine, left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, and GERD have all been granted increased ratings. The Veteran also received service connection for cervical sprain/strain and erectile dysfunction as secondary to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to an injury sustained during INACDUTRA. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.