Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2023

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected. The cases for left-hand, left leg, left shoulder, and neck disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion. The case for a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for low back strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further adjudication due to a failure to comply with VA's duty to assist and a prior remand order. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular rating criteria for a grant of TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a) throughout the period at issue.

The Veteran's claims for neck disability, tinnitus, and OSA as secondary to PTSD are all granted.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for PFB, cervical spine disability, and right hip disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the current noncompensable rating for PFB is appropriate due to its mild nature. For the cervical spine, there was no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes of IVDS. For the right hip, the medical evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion.

The Veteran's neck disability is rated at a 20 percent rating effective February 10, 2021. The rating for the inguinal hernia was remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development regarding exposure to toxic substances and stressor events. The cervical spine, diabetes mellitus, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) claims are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including dizziness and vertigo, anxiety, migraines, stiff neck pain, and shoulder pain, as secondary to service-connected temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD).

The Board has granted service connection for neck, low back, right shoulder, left shoulder, and left knee disabilities. The left ankle disability is also granted as arthritis.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate examinations used in previous decisions.

The Veteran's appeal for higher evaluations for his cervical and thoracolumbar spine conditions has been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the severity of his spinal conditions, particularly during flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations and incomplete information.

The Board has found that the Veteran's neck and right shoulder disabilities are related to service, but additional evidence is needed for a final determination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, including anxiety and stress disorder, was granted. Service connection is also established for a cervical spine disability.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss remains denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

Service connection for cervical spine stenosis is granted, and the Veteran's claim for higher initial disability ratings in several areas of service-connected disabilities is remanded. The case is also remanded for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The issues include a stomach disability, Peyronie's disease as secondary to cervical spine injury, and radiculopathy of bilateral upper extremities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and right shoulder disorder, as well as an increased evaluation for the Veteran's right knee condition due to insufficient evidence or examination reports.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine strain with degenerative arthritis and right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy are granted, effective from June 9, 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome. The claims for other musculoskeletal disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded all of the Veteran's claims due to inadequate VA examinations and new evidence received since the last decision.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, gastrointestinal condition (GERD), cervical condition, left shoulder condition, and right shoulder condition are all denied. The Veteran's claim for PTSD is granted.,Service connection is established for the Veteran's tinnitus as it manifested within one year of his separation from active service.