Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2023

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric conditions, DJD of the lumbar spine, and DJD of the cervical spine are granted service connection. Service connection for prostate cancer is also granted due to exposure to herbicide agents including Agent Orange during his Vietnam War service.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to military noise exposure during service. Service connection was denied for cervical spine disability due to a lack of evidence linking the current condition to in-service injuries.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for cervicogenic headaches and his TDIU claim are both remanded due to the need for additional examination and consideration of extraschedular criteria.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left shoulder disorder, fibromyalgia condition, right and left ankle disorders. The claims are being returned for new VA medical opinions considering the Veteran's exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for additional development, including obtaining medical records from his participation in the NROTC program.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities due to insufficient evidence in the record. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional medical records, schedule a VA examination, and readjudicate the claims.

The Board has determined that the remand is necessary due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's pes planus, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disabilities. The issues of service connection for these conditions are being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand several claims for further action, including obtaining SSA records and considering the Veteran's entitlement to TDIU and SMC.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as she withdrew all remaining issues on appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar, cervical, and bilateral shoulder disorders due to inadequate medical opinions that did not consider the Veteran's lay reports of continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine DDD and DJD, RIGHT upper extremity radiculopathy, LUMBAR spine DDD and DJD, RIGHT lower extremity radiculopathy, and LEFT lower extremity radiculopathy. Service connection was denied for prediabetes/hyperglycemia, obstructive sleep apnea, a LEFT heel disorder (also claimed as 'bursitis hindfoot'), and a RIGHT eye disability.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical and lumbar spine arthritis, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to a 1975 motor vehicle accident in Italy.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cervical strain and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability was reopened on the basis of new and material evidence. The appeal is granted to this extent.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for a lumbar spine disability prior to August 21, 2020 remains denied.,The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated with a separate 10 percent rating since December 15, 2009 due to slight instability. The appeal is denied.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy prior to July 17, 2009 remains denied.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder has been rated with a disability rating in excess of 50 percent since May 20, 2023. The appeal is denied.,The Veteran was granted TDIU effective prior to May 30, 2023.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.,Service connection was also denied for bilateral hip radiculopathy, headaches, and a liver condition.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for various conditions, including tinnitus, neck disability, back condition, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral hip disorder, left knee disability, and bilateral ankle and foot disorders. However, the claims have been remanded due to insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are remanded due to procedural errors in obtaining relevant medical records and conducting examinations.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted as service connected, but his claim for sleep apnea was dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding service connection for neck, back, right knee, and right foot disabilities due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle disabilities, bilateral lower leg disabilities, neck disability, and thoracic spine disability due to a lack of current disabilities.