Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine injury residuals, lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity varicose veins, left lower extremity varicose veins, bronchitis, and bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete service treatment records from the Veteran's National Guard and Reserve periods of service. The claims will be readjudicated after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's cervical spine DDD and osteoarthritis are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD and osteoarthritis are also granted as service-connected.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, right ankle, eye, and respiratory conditions due to insufficient medical opinions.,Flu residuals are also being remanded as there is uncertainty about whether they are separate from service-connected TBI residuals.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for arthritis of the cervical spine was denied in 1996, and new evidence did not reopen this claim. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for left leg stent placement due to insufficient medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination due to lack of compliance with previous directives.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for cervical spine disability, left ankle disability (to include as secondary to service-connected disabilities), sinusitis, and chronic fatigue syndrome due to insufficient compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and congenital Thornwaldt cyst, finding no causal relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for traumatic brain injury, heart disability (secondary to protein C blood disorder), neck disability, psychiatric disability, and sleep apnea. The appeals are pending further medical evaluation and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot condition, low back condition, cervical spondylosis, and schizoaffective disorder have been reopened. The claim for the right foot condition is denied, while the claims for the low back condition, cervical spondylosis, and schizoaffective disorder are remanded.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot condition, low back condition, cervical spondylosis, and schizoaffective disorder have been reopened. The claim for the right foot condition is denied, while the claims for the low back condition, cervical spondylosis, and schizoaffective disorder are remanded.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection of migraines, cervical spine disability, PTSD, lumbar spine disability, bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis, GERD, allergic rhinitis, tinnitus, and pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB).

The Veteran was awarded SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance from January 14, 2004, to January 28, 2011. The Board found that he met the requirements for this benefit due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of evidence showing current disability.,The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for cervical strain with cervical spine degenerative disc disease, as the VA examination report did not adequately address functional impairment during flare-ups and repetitive use over time.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Appellant's service connection claims, including back disability, right knee disability, bilateral sciatica, neck disability, chronic headache disorder, and associated conditions. The decision also includes a request for additional medical records and examination.

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with its May 2022 remand directives and thus the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain and cervical strain are being remanded again.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations conducted in March 2021 did not consider all relevant service treatment records, and thus requires additional addenda to those examinations. The appeal is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for left and right carpal tunnel syndrome has been withdrawn.,For the period prior to June 19, 2017, his cervical spine disability is not shown to meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent, effective February 5, 2022. The rating for LUE radiculopathy remains unchanged.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and the need for further examinations to clarify the relationship between the Veteran's cervical polyps and her claimed disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical strain, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to an in-service injury. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative changes of the cervical spine, right knee disability (instability and limitation of motion), right shoulder disability, left knee disability (painful motion), and ulcer, prevent him from maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his occupational experience.