Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2023

Your claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and right upper extremity radiculopathy have been fully granted in an August 2020 rating decision. The appeal is dismissed as there are no unresolved issues.

The Veteran's cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities are granted as service-connected due to continuity of symptoms since active duty.,Secondary service connection for radiculopathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is also granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and failure of duty to assist, including a lack of adequate rationale for the opinions provided in prior examinations. The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma is presumed based on exposure to herbicide agents (Agent Orange).

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine disability, finding that her current neck pain and arthritis are related to her military service. The decision also notes that her current condition is not secondary to her service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the reduction in rating for cervical spine disability and the increased rating claim. The Board has dismissed these appeals.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for cervical degenerative disc disease is remanded. The issue of service connection for multiple concussion residuals was incorrectly identified as being on appeal and will be addressed separately.

The Veteran's PTSD claim is granted as his reported in-service stressor of close enemy mortar attacks in Iraq is supported and related to fear of hostile military or terrorist activity.,The Veteran's cervical spine, headaches, and skin disability claims are denied as they have no known clinical basis and are not due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and left upper extremity (LUE) cervical radiculopathy on a direct basis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during and have continued since service.

The Veteran's cervical spine, lumbar spine, right knee, left knee, and left forearm disabilities are related to his active military service.,The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are caused by the Veteran's obesity, which in turn is caused by his service-connected depressive disorder and musculoskeletal disabilities.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and neurological impairment of the lower extremities are not rated higher than 10 percent, with no new evidence provided to reopen previous claims.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disability. The TDIU claim remains in appellate status as it is intertwined with other issues.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for referral to the Director of Compensation Service due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 40% and granted a 50% rating effective from January 27, 2020.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's neck disability is related to his military service. The VA examiner provided contradictory opinions, and a new examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's current neck disabilities are related to his in-service injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar and cervical disorders are not service-connected as they did not begin during her military service or within a year of discharge, and there is no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to her active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disability, cervical spine disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.,Secondary service connection is also granted for the cervical spine disability and right hip disability to the low back disability, as well as for the left hip disability. The acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD was not addressed in this decision.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine disability, left upper extremity neurological disability, and right upper extremity neurological disability. A rating higher than 20 percent for a lumbar spine disability prior to October 3, 2017, was also denied.

The Board has remanded several claims related to the Veteran's service connection for various eye and joint conditions due to incomplete medical records and the need for additional VA medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of her cervical strain was dismissed because she requested withdrawal prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various knee and shoulder disorders, as well as a right foot disorder. The Veteran's medical records from his federal employment are to be obtained, and he is to undergo an examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed right foot disorder.