Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful occupation prior to June 1, 2020.

The Veteran's claims for cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities have been reopened, but the Board has determined that service connection is not warranted based on lack of nexus between current disabilities and service. The right hand and left hand disability claims are also remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, left shoulder and ankle conditions, knee degenerative joint disease, radiculopathy, skin disorders, cervical spine disability, facial injury residuals, TMJ, sleep apnea, headaches, hand tremors, CFS, fibromyalgia, and muscle and joint pain. The Board finds that additional evidence is needed to properly evaluate these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and arthritis of the right hand, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The claims for service connection for left and right shoulder disabilities, left and right hand disabilities, neck disability, right ring finger disability, and throat disability have been dismissed.,New evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the claims for service connection for low back disability, left leg disability, right leg disability, erectile dysfunction, left knee disability, and right knee disability.

Service connection is granted for sinusitis, migraines, cervical strain, and tinnitus based on direct service connection.

The Veteran's thoracic spondylosis is granted service connection. The cervical spine disorder, left and right upper extremity nerve conditions are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a gynecological disability, loss of sex drive, and bilateral pes planus are all denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support service connection for these conditions. However, the Veteran's claim for bilateral pes planus is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back and neck disabilities due to a lack of VA examinations addressing these conditions. The Veteran is also requested to provide any additional evidence that may support his claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology. The case is sent back for an appropriate clinician to provide a new opinion.

The Veteran's claim for right ear hearing loss has been dismissed as the Regional Office granted it.,Left ear hearing loss is denied due to lack of current disability.

The Board has denied a higher rating for the cervical spine disability prior to June 3, 2022 and remanded the issues of increased ratings for lumbar and LLE radiculopathy. The Veteran's claims are being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for service-connected mild cervical dysplasia status post loop electrosurgical excision procedure, with pelvic inflammatory disease, as there is no evidence of continuous treatment required by the criteria.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for cervical stenosis and neuropathy of the right arm, but remanded for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's cervical spine, left knee, right hand, bilateral pes planus, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and left hip disabilities were not found to be related to service or secondary to a service-connected condition. The right ankle disability was denied as the rating did not meet criteria for ankylosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives. The case is also remanded for a new VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. The appeal to reopen the cervical spine disability claim was also denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,Service connection for sleep apnea remains pending, with the need for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine condition, chest pain/costochondritis, left foot condition, and right foot condition as there is no evidence of a chronic condition related to active service.,Cervical spine condition was remanded due to the need for a cervical spine examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical spine, left hip, and right hip disabilities due to inadequate opinions from previous VA examiners. The new opinions must address both direct service connection and secondary service connection theories.

The Veteran's neck disability was granted a rating of 30 percent effective as of August 7, 2020. The back disability was also granted a rating of 40 percent effective as of January 28, 2020.