Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2023

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is being remanded for further evaluation and rating consideration due to increased severity since the last examination.

The petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, claimed as high blood pressure is granted.,The petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for loss of sensation, numbness, and weakness in the bilateral upper extremities is granted.,The petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted.,The petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for a back disability is granted.,The petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for a chronic pain disability is granted.,The petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction is granted.,The petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral flatfeet is granted.,The petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for GERD is granted.,The petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for hemorrhoids is granted.,The petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C is granted.,The petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for a cervical spine disability is granted.,The petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for a headache disability is granted.,The petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for a sinus disability is granted.,The petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for an eye disability, claimed as dry eyes and allergies is granted.

The Veteran's increased rating for a neck disability is granted effective May 9, 2016. The grants of service connection for left knee and right upper extremity radiculopathy are denied prior to the dates indicated. Tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are rated as they currently stand.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted as service-connected. The right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are also granted as secondary to the service-connected lumbar spine disability.,Service connection for cervical spine disability, diabetes, or painful scars of the upper extremities is not warranted.

The Veteran's claims for compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 are remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining missing records and medical opinions.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and consideration. The Veteran's left shoulder condition requires a new examination to assess the severity of his flare-ups. His cervical spine condition must be evaluated in relation to his service-connected left shoulder condition. An addendum opinion is needed regarding the acquired psychiatric disorder, as well as an assessment of polyuria and hypertension.,The Board has remanded this issue for further development. The Veteran's cervical spine condition needs a new examination that addresses whether it is secondary to his service-connected left shoulder impingement syndrome. A new opinion on the acquired psychiatric disorder must be provided, considering the Veteran's contentions about insomnia, adjustment disorder, and depression.,The Board has remanded this issue for further development. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder needs a new examination that addresses whether it is related to his service. An addendum opinion should be provided regarding polyuria and hypertension.,The Board has remanded this issue for further development. The Veteran's kidney condition, claimed as kidney cancer, requires an addendum opinion addressing the relationship between his in-service stone removal and current issues. A new examination is needed for renal insufficiency and hypertension.,The Board has remanded this issue for further development. An addendum opinion should be provided regarding polyuria and hypertension.,The Board has remanded this issue for further development. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder needs a new examination that addresses whether it occurred in service or is related to his service-connected conditions. A new opinion on polyuria and hypertension must also be provided.,The Board has remanded this issue for further development. An addendum opinion should be provided regarding the relationship between the Veteran's headaches and his service-connected shoulder condition, as well as whether it is caused by or aggravated by any other service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression has been denied as there is no current diagnosis of a psychiatric condition.,Service connection for hypertension due to exposure to herbicides in service has been granted. The effective date will be determined based on the PACT Act provisions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities due to incomplete service personnel records and a need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to address whether the Veteran's current back and neck disabilities are related to his service, specifically during his eligible period of service.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claims can be adjudicated due to outstanding VA treatment records and potential TERA exposure. The claims for service connection are being remanded for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Board dismissed all appeals as the Veteran withdrew his appeals prior to a decision being made.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a cervical spine disability and hypertension due to insufficient medical evidence, and the need for further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for cervical spine disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorder, and bilateral knee disorders are inadequate. The Veteran must be afforded new examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including PTSD, left ear hearing loss, foot conditions, cervical and lumbar spine conditions, sleep apnea, TBI, headaches, and seizures. The Veteran was not provided with a VA examination for his feet or headaches, and additional records are needed regarding an accident in Tennessee.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including cervical spine and thoracic spine conditions, right upper extremity radiculopathy, osteoarthritis of the great toes, gastrointestinal disability, Peyronie's disease, and erectile dysfunction. The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed to assess the current severity of these conditions, as well as whether there is a nexus between his service-connected disabilities and any other claimed conditions or exposures.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with effective dates determined based on the receipt of formal or informal claims. The Board also found that his chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, left knee osteoarthritis, and right hand degenerative joint disease are related to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to readjudicate his claims for service connection for various conditions, including headaches, vertigo, left thumb disability, tailbone disability, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability. The claims are remanded for additional examinations regarding tailbone, cervical spine, lumbar spine, sciatic nerve, left wrist, left hand, and bilateral foot disabilities, as well as for an examination to determine the etiology of vertigo and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's lumbar and thoracic spine degenerative joint disease, cervical spondylosis and degenerative disease (cervical spine disability), and left and right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy have been granted effective from March 7, 2005.,An initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for lumbar and thoracic spine degenerative joint disease is granted since May 16, 2012. An initial rating of 30 percent for cervical spondylosis and degenerative disease (cervical spine disability) from May 16, 2012 to December 20, 2022, and an evaluation in excess of 30 percent is denied from December 20, 2022 onwards.,Initial ratings for left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy (left arm) and right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy (right arm) are granted at 50 percent and 40 percent respectively since May 16, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions to address the etiology of his diagnosed conditions, including vertigo. The claims are also remanded for further development regarding service connection.

Service connection is granted for cervical strain, OSA secondary to PTSD and GERD, migraines, and GERD. The Veteran's fibromyalgia claim requires further examination.,The Veteran's TMJ disorder requires a higher initial evaluation.