Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the appropriate ratings for his bilateral plantar fasciitis, DDD of the lumbar spine, hip disabilities, and cervical degenerative joint disease. The effective date claim for service connection remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back, neck, and right lower extremity disabilities. The rating assigned is 60 percent effective from January 1, 2015.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine, right knee, and kidney disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,Specifically, the Veteran's current diagnoses were not shown to have been present during his active duty service or within one year post-service.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the etiology of the Veteran's hip, spine, and erectile dysfunction disorders. The claims for service connection will be remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for low back and cervical spine conditions due to a lack of consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding symptomatology, continuity of care, and treatment. A new VA examination is needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors in obtaining adequate medical opinions.,All issues related to the Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, cervical spine condition, and traumatic brain injury will be addressed.

The Board has decided to remand the service connection claims for lumbar spine, cervical spine, right shoulder, left shoulder, right elbow, and left elbow disorders due to additional studies provided by the Veteran's representative.

Effective dates of October 26, 1978 have been granted for PTSD, TBI, cervical spine disability, right hip disabilities, and migraine headaches. Effective dates prior to February 14, 2011 have not been granted for loss of sense of smell, taste, and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board finds the Veteran's report of noise exposure during service consistent with his DD214, and acknowledges that he has indicated a continuity of symptomatology from service to present. However, the Board also notes that there are no service treatment records documenting any relevant complaints or diagnoses of tinnitus. The Veteran was provided an addendum opinion on remand regarding the etiology of his lumbar spine disability due to carrying heavy protective gear during service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective October 1, 2014. The lumbar spine disability has been rated at 20 percent since October 5, 2023. The appeal for higher ratings remains pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus, type 2, a back and/or cervical spine disorder, hypertension, and a right knee disorder due to various procedural issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic cervical strain, lumbosacral strain, and follicular hyperpigmentosis due to additional development being needed. The AOJ is required to obtain VA treatment records, complete a VA Form 21-4142 from the Veteran, and arrange for orthopedic examinations of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is reopened, and the case is remanded to obtain a VA examination and medical opinions regarding his cervical spine disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and lumbar radiculopathy.

The Board has dismissed the claim for service connection for an upper back disability as it is already granted. The cervical spine disability and TDIU claims are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for right shoulder, bilateral elbow, left hip, right knee, left groin, and neck disabilities due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran should be afforded Gulf War examinations and VA medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disability, neuropathy of the left upper extremity, and neuropathy of the right upper extremity due to procedural issues.,Service connection was denied for all three conditions as there is no evidence linking them to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee, cervical spine, and bilateral shoulder disabilities are remanded. The claim for an effective date prior to April 27, 2018, for the grant of service connection for a right shoulder disability is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disability. The Veteran asserts that his current condition is related to service, but VA medical opinions are insufficient and need to be reconsidered.

The Board denied service connection for back, neck, left knee, and left shoulder disabilities as there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability as new and relevant evidence had not been submitted to readjudicate the claim. The Veteran was diagnosed with degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, but the RO found that the evidence did not show a nexus between her current condition and service.