Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder, a neurological disorder of the left upper extremity, and a thoracolumbar spine disorder.,The Veteran's testimony and medical opinion supported by Dr. Ramirez indicate that his current conditions are related to an in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions regarding his stomach condition, sleep disorder, cervical spine disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left lower extremity shin splints disability, and right lower extremity shin splints disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, and cervical spine disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's left and right upper extremity radiculopathy are granted as secondary to his service-connected cervical spine degenerative arthritis.,The Veteran's traumatic brain injury with migraine headaches is granted, supported by in-service diagnosis and continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar degenerative joint disease and spondylosis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his in-service injury. The claim was also denied for cervical spondylosis and sprain due to lack of a nexus between the current condition and active service.,The Board concluded that there is no evidence showing chronic lumbar or cervical spine conditions during service, within one year after separation, or with continuous symptomatology since service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a kidney disorder and left hand/wrist disability, as well as an increased rating for residuals of a left wrist fracture due to incomplete VA treatment records. Additional medical opinions are required regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a back condition and a neck condition, both of which were claimed by the Veteran. The conditions are deemed to have begun during active military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a neck condition were denied. The Board found no evidence of chronic conditions in service or within one year of discharge, and the VA medical opinions concluded that the current diagnoses are not related to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings in excess of 40 percent for right upper extremity radiculopathy, in excess of 30 percent for left upper extremity radiculopathy, and in excess of 20 percent for a cervical spine disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and further development is required.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records from the Utah Air National Guard. The neck and left knee disabilities are being reviewed again, along with the tension headache claim.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is denied as there is no current diagnosis.,Service connection for the lumbar spine disorder due to bilateral pes planus is granted.,Service connection for right elbow disorder and left wrist disorder are remanded due to lack of VA examination.,Service connection for right wrist disorder is remanded due to lack of VA examination.,Obstructive sleep apnea secondary to service-connected coronary artery disease, hypertension, tension headaches, or bilateral pes planus is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for cervical and thoracic spine disabilities due to new VA treatment records being added to the case file. The Veteran was given an opportunity to waive consideration of these records by the AOJ, but did not do so.

The Board has granted service connection for various musculoskeletal conditions, including lateral epicondylitis of the left elbow, left hip iliopsoas and iliotibial tendinopathy, right hip iliopsoas and iliotibial tendinopathy, metatarsalgia of the left foot, chronic ankle sprain with tendinopathy, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine with foraminal narrowing, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with foraminal narrowing, patellofemoral syndrome of both knees. The conditions are found to be at least as likely as not related to active service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disorders, finding that there is no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and her military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability, sleep apnea, and prostate cancer. The claim for prostate cancer prior to August 10, 2022 is remanded due to the need for dose estimation of radiation exposure.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete medical examinations and lack of clarity regarding the Veteran's employment history.

The Veteran's gynecological disorders, including endometriosis and total vaginal hysterectomy, are being remanded for further examination and review. The temporary total rating issue is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.,No new evidence has been received sufficient to reopen the claim for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service connection claims for back and neck disabilities have been granted.,The Veteran's claim for headaches remains pending and will be remanded.