Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and the propriety of a rating reduction are being remanded due to incomplete Statements of the Case.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disorders due to incomplete VA opinions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions as related to his active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims for neck disability, head injury residuals, headaches, right shoulder disability, and left shoulder disability due to incomplete VA treatment records from 1999-2000 and insufficient information on income, net worth, and medical expenses.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations related to her bilateral foot disability, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, right shoulder impingement, and cervical radiculopathy of the right upper extremity due to incomplete or inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability and a cervical spine disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service or service-connected conditions.,Service records do not show any complaints or diagnoses related to these disabilities during active duty. The Veteran's current diagnoses are attributed to post-service events.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is related to her in-service motor vehicle accident, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a bilateral hip disability and cervical spine disability have been granted in an August 2020 rating decision. These issues are therefore dismissed as moot.,Service connection has also been granted for bilateral glaucoma, but the claim remains pending due to the need for additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy due to possible aggravation by his service-connected temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome, as well as secondary to either his service-connected back disability or his somatic symptom disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her cervical spine disability and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining retrospective findings from an appropriate clinician regarding the severity of her service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Board denied service connection for cervical DDD, finding that the current condition is not etiologically related to service.,The Board also denied service connection for a painful joint disorder, as there was no separate disability found and the Veteran's symptoms were already compensated or separately appealed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for alexia, cervical disc disease, lumbar spine disorder, and sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence to support a current diagnosis or etiology related to these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, as there is insufficient evidence in the record to determine if his current condition is related to his military service. The Veteran reported that he injured his neck during active duty and has experienced continuous symptoms since then.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted service connection and rated at 20 percent. The right ankle tendonitis remains at a 20 percent rating, but the neck disability is granted an initial rating of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to an improper form being used in the initial appeal process.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to insufficient information regarding the scope of his service-connected right-hand injuries and their impact on his current condition. The issues include seeking an initial compensable rating for a status-post avulsion fracture, right 5th metacarpal, and seeking service connection for a neck disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for back and neck disabilities, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate for determining medical nexus, particularly regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his cervical spine and low back disabilities. The Board also notes that additional private treatment records from the Veteran's chiropractor at Paulding Spinal Clinic may be needed to support the claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including a cervical spine examination to determine if service connection is warranted, and a migraine/headaches examination to assess the relationship between current headaches and service or any service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions and their relationship to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and upper extremity radiculopathy are rated at the lowest available levels, with no higher ratings granted due to lack of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.