Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2023

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity and cervical spine disability have been granted, but his request for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis, right knee has been denied. Separate ratings for right knee instability are granted, but he is still seeking an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for his neck disability, left knee condition, and right knee condition are remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for his right wrist and hand disabilities, bradycardia with right bundle branch block, cervical strain, and migraine headache disorder have been granted. Effective dates prior to April 13, 2018, are established.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence received, and requests that clinical records from Parris Island, Beaufort Naval Hospital, and Camp Lejeune be obtained. Additionally, a VA medical opinion is needed regarding the low back disability, neck disability, cellulitis of the ankles, and orthopedic disability of the ankles.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his cervical spine disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an evaluation higher than 20 percent.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 19, 2017, for service-connected OSA was also denied. The Board determined that the earliest possible effective date is July 19, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and neck disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions addressing whether these conditions are related to his service-connected right knee, low back, or bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The claims will be reviewed with additional medical evaluations.

The Veteran's initial ratings for migraine headaches and PTSD/MDD have been granted. However, the appeal is mixed as some issues are remanded due to insufficient evidence or further development needed.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical evidence on direct service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, which may be related to active service including a documented motor vehicle accident in Vietnam in 1970. The Veteran's claims are now pending again.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to missing VA examinations and potential need for additional medical opinions regarding toxic exposure.

The Board has remanded several issues, including the request to reopen service connection for a neck disability and increased evaluations for back disability and radiculopathy. The case will be returned to the Board after compliance with appellate procedures.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are now considered. The Board has also remanded several other issues due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's cervical spine disabilities are found to have onset during service and are related thereto, granting service connection.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals regarding the service connection for lower back disability, left shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, and a compensable rating for hemorrhoids.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions did not adequately address the Veteran's assertions regarding his military service causing his current neck and back disorders. Therefore, the claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the appeals of increased ratings for right knee, lumbar spine, and right femoral neck disabilities due to outstanding medical records.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a procedural error in sending notice of the February 2014 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's reported range of motion and previous examination findings.

The Board has found that additional development is needed to determine if any of the Veteran's VA records were erroneously associated with another Veteran's claims file. The Board also finds that a new VA opinion is required to address the likely onset and etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed insomnia, as well as whether it is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disability, and further development is needed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for several issues, including initial compensable rating for atopic dermatitis and service connection for PTSD, unspecified depressive disorder and moderate alcohol use disorder, sleep disturbances, chronic headaches, keratitis/corneal ulcer, chronic bronchitis, sinusitis, enlarged cervical right side submandibular lymph node, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and muscle and joint pain (unspecified).