Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection, increased rating, and TDIU as they are inextricably intertwined with her secondary service connection claim. The Veteran is to be scheduled for a VA examination to assess the severity of her right knee disabilities and an addendum opinion regarding her cervical strain.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted a 70% disability rating from May 18, 2014 to August 18, 2023. The cervical spine degenerative arthritis and right upper extremity radiculopathy are both denied for the entire initial rating period.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to issues with character of discharge and other medical conditions. The specific reasons will be addressed by the AOJ in their further review.

The Veteran's initial rating for his right and left knee disabilities, cervical spine disability, erectile dysfunction, and prostate cancer residuals have been denied. The appeal is remanded for further consideration of service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been granted. The right hip and left hip disabilities, as well as the cervical spine condition, are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's lymphatic system disability (Castleman's disease) and skin disabilities have been remanded for further review due to new evidence received since the last denial.

Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a neck disability, and several other conditions. The remaining claims are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied. The claim for neck disability is remanded.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus cannot be established as the evidence does not show a nexus to service or manifestation within a presumptive period.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for cervical strain and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as she does not have a current disability for VA purposes.,The Veteran's claims for cervical, hernia, and bladder conditions are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is not service-connected, and his left knee disability has been granted a 20% evaluation.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for cervical spine disorder and lumbar spine disorder due to conflicting evidence regarding in-service events and symptoms.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for cervical spine and right arm disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions, lack of proper consideration of pain as a disability, and failure to address potential presumptive service connection under the Persian Gulf War (PGW) provisions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of a lumbosacral/cervical strain, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disability and tinnitus, but has remanded his claim for right ankle disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea and cervical spine disability has been reopened due to the submission of new medical evidence. The claims are now remanded for further development.,The Veteran's claims for right shoulder, right hand, fibromyalgia, asthma, chronic fatigue syndrome, costochondritis (chest pain), lumbar spine disability, and cervical spine disability have all been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities due to diabetes, and low back disability secondary to a service-connected neck disability.,The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spinal stenosis and fusion, lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, right shoulder disability, and initial rating in excess of 20 percent for a left shoulder disability due to incomplete VA examinations and outstanding records.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a residual of a head injury is dismissed because the claim has been granted in a previous rating decision. Service connection for a cervical spine disability is granted, but the lumbar spine disability issue remains pending and needs further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including cervical spine disability, right and left knee disabilities, left foot disability, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and bilateral shoulder disabilities. The claims are being returned to the RO for further development.