Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeal regarding TDIU is being remanded for further review. The issue of an increased rating for cervical spine DJD has not been properly appealed and will be considered separately.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as she meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU based on all her service-connected disabilities, which include a lumbar spine disability rated at 40 percent and other conditions. The effective date will be determined by the AOJ.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions and new evidence added since the Court's May 2023 Remand. The Veteran's cervical spine condition is being reviewed for service connection.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions obtained on remand are inadequate and requires further examination to determine if any of the Veteran's claimed disabilities are related to service.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including right foot plantar fasciitis, cervical and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, right knee meniscal tear, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability. The Veteran's claims are being returned to the RO for additional examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for osteoarthritis and cervical spine disability is remanded due to the need to obtain private chiropractic treatment records.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an appropriate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spondylosis, which is currently considered secondary to his service-connected low back disability. The current VA examination was deemed inadequate and further development is required.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as related to in-service noise exposure.,His right ankle injury residuals are denied due to lack of evidence of a current disability.

The claim for service connection for a right ankle disability is granted. The Veteran's PTSD remains at a 70 percent rating, but the Board finds no evidence of total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has granted increased ratings for cervical spine disability, left and right upper extremity radiculopathy effective May 19, 2011. The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been rated based on their direct effects rather than any presumption or secondary connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck/cervical spine disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and no current disability related to service.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, arthritis of the left and right hands, cervical spine condition, radiculopathy, hip conditions, and TDIU are being remanded due to new evidence received since the January 2020 SOC. The AOJ will consider this additional evidence in their first instance before deciding the cases.

The Board has denied service connection for cervical spondylosis and back disability as the injuries that caused these conditions did not occur during active duty or inactive duty training.

The Veteran's cervical strain, right knee Osgood-Schlatter disease, diabetes mellitus type II (DMII), and hypertension have been granted service connection.,Service connection for the Veteran's right knee Osgood-Schlatter disease is granted as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are caused or aggravated by his service-connected restrictive lung disease, leading to a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for eczema, bilateral foot condition, and cervical spine degenerative arthritis. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during or were related to the Veteran's active duty.,There was no documentation of any skin condition, feet issue, or neck problem in the Veteran's service records.

The Veteran's cervical strain disability is rated at 10 percent, and the lumbosacral strain with sacroiliac injury is also rated at 10 percent. Both conditions are denied for an increased rating.,Both service-connected disabilities have been rated based on their current functional limitations without considering any presumptive exposure or secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors and the need for a TERA examination.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions including hypertension, neck disability, right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities, right knee and left knee disabilities, prostate disability, bilateral hand numbness, headache disorder, and respiratory disability. The Veteran's preexisting conditions were not shown to be aggravated by service or otherwise related to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and a headache disability, secondary to the cervical spine disability. The decision is based on evidence showing that these conditions began in service or are related to service-connected disabilities.