Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2023

The Veteran's cervical spine, lumbar spine, left knee, right knee, and hemorrhoids conditions are granted service connection. The Veteran's left leg and right leg conditions are remanded for further examination.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, asthma, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), epilepsy, and a neck disability due to his withdrawal at the July 2023 hearing. The Veteran's asthma was found to have existed prior to service and not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for a cervical spine disorder was reopened and granted service connection effective December 17, 2010. He is currently rated at 30 percent for his cervical spine disability.,Service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy was also granted effective December 17, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for multiple myeloma was denied as the condition is asymptomatic.,Claims for bilateral hearing loss, right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and cervical spine disorder based on CUE were also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine disability and right shoulder disability, finding that the conditions had their onset during service.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for neck, back, hip, knee, and acquired psychiatric disorders due to incomplete records. The Veteran's STRs do not reflect injuries sustained in November 1996 during a rappelling exercise.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Board dismissed all appeals as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and gout, finding no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions. The Board also noted that there was no credible medical evidence linking herbicide exposure to the development of gout.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck disability, headache disability, and upper extremity radiculopathy due to outstanding records and a need for an addendum opinion.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to address whether the Veteran's cervical spine disorder is related to his military service, including any in-service injuries or events.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for a neck disability due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its relationship to his in-service injury and service-connected TBI.

The Board has remanded the claims for neck disability, nerve disability affecting right upper extremity (CTS), and right knee disability due to inadequate medical opinions in previous VA examinations. The claims will be reviewed again with new medical opinions.

The Board has restored the Veteran's disability ratings for his lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities to their previous levels, effective September 21, 2017, as the reduction was improper due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical strain, right arm radiculopathy, and left arm radiculopathy due to incomplete examination reports and lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was restored to 70% effective August 26, 2017. The appeal for increased evaluations of other conditions and service connection claims were dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), and obstructive sleep apnea due to additional development being necessary.

The Board has remanded the claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. §1151 due to the need for additional medical records and Social Security Administration (SSA) documents.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU is also remanded as it may be impacted by these other claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the cervical spine, lumbar spine, right shoulder, bilateral hands, and left shoulder due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between his current conditions and military service. The case will be returned for a VA examination.