Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2023

The Board denied service connection for thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, and right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome. The appellant's preexisting scoliosis was found to have clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service and not been aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and relationship of the Veteran's conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's cervical strain is granted service connection. Service connection for left and right carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as chronic low back strain, are denied. The Veteran's rectovaginal fistula rating is remanded due to lack of VA treatment records. Service connection for a bowel condition is also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for neck disorder, back disorder, left upper and lower extremity radiculopathy, right ankle condition, bilateral carotid artery disease, COPD, and tinnitus.,There is no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service event that supports the Veteran's claims.

The Board has denied service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae due to a lack of current diagnosis.,Service connection is remanded for sleep apnea syndrome, bilateral hearing loss, right leg nerve damage, headaches, and neck disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent her from securing and following any substantially gainful occupation, resulting in a grant of TDIU.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of service connection for a neck disability as it was granted in a previous decision. The claim for an increased rating for tension headaches is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia has been dismissed because her attorney withdrew the appeal before a decision was made.

The Board has remanded several claims for increased ratings due to deficiencies in the VA examinations conducted in November 2018. The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine, and bilateral knee disabilities are being examined again to determine their current severity.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for the lumbar spine disability, left shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, left knee disability, and right ankle disability is denied.

The Veteran's prostate disability and kidney disability are denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's degenerative disc disease, cervical spine (claimed as neck pain) is denied due to lack of in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's bilateral nuclear sclerosis cataract and posterior vitreous detachment (claimed as vision problems), left shoulder strain (claimed as shoulder pain), sleep condition including insomnia and sleep disturbance, and erectile dysfunction are all denied without a clear service connection being established.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various lower extremity and neck disorders due to a lack of medical opinions addressing whether these conditions are proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disorder.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to assist the Veteran with his claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and providing notice regarding military sexual trauma. The claims for service connection are being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.

The Veteran's spine and extremity disabilities are being remanded for additional medical opinions to address the severity of his conditions, particularly during flare-ups or with repeated use.,The Veteran's skin disability is also being remanded due to unclear onset and systemic therapy status.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to substantial compliance with previous directives, and also because of new evidence added to the claims file.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for insomnia disorder is granted. The claims for GERD, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, essential tremor, and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and unspecified anxiety disorder) are all remanded.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of cervical spine, back, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy were reopened.,Service connection was granted for cervical spine, back, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.