Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including his low back condition, neck condition, and shoulder condition. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, left forearm, and left ankle disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions. The respiratory disability claim is also remanded as it may be related to Gulf War service exposure.

The Board has remanded several claims for service connection due to the Veteran's failure to provide sufficient medical records and because of inadequacies in previous examination opinions. The claims include psychiatric disorders, cervical spine disorders, hand disorders, ankle disorders, knee disorders, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that additional evidence was submitted and requires further review by the AOJ before a final decision can be made.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete etiology opinions and failure to substantively comply with previous directives.,Specifically, the Board found that the VA examiners' opinions were inadequate as they did not address the Veteran's contentions regarding his MOS as an aircraft mechanic and the onset of symptoms during work activities.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent prior to November 22, 2017, and 30 percent thereafter. The Board has remanded the case for further development including obtaining a VA examination.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's cervical spine disability is service-connected. The case will be returned for this purpose.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and a cervical spine disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.,There is no evidence of chronicity during or after service, and the VA examiner opined that the current diagnoses are more likely due to post-service events.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a bilateral eye disability, low back disability, neck disability, and residuals of head trauma due to requests from the Veteran's representative for information about VA examiners and outstanding treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the right arm and a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of right shoulder and back stab wound.,There is no current diagnosis of right arm arthritis, and the Veteran's symptoms are attributed to his neck disability.

The Board has determined that the current cervical spine disorder is not related to service and remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and the need for a new examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disability, including whether it is related to service or his service-connected left hip or left knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder and cervical spine disabilities must be remanded due to inadequate medical opinions. The VA will obtain additional records, conduct further examinations if necessary, and provide updated medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability. The remaining issues of service connection for cervical, left knee, right knee, and heart conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's neck disability is denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within the applicable presumptive period, and continuity of symptomatology has not been established.,Service connection for adjustment disorder with depressed mood is granted based on the Veteran's current diagnosis and his reported in-service complaints.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include cervical spine disability, vertigo or dizziness, and chronic headache disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were dismissed as the appeal was withdrawn, and no new evidence was submitted to reopen a previously denied claim. The Board found that the additional evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records.

Service connection has been granted for bipolar disorder, left hip impairment, right hip impairment, cervical spine injury, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hypertension, tinnitus, voiding dysfunction, and erectile dysfunction.,Effective dates have been assigned for service connection based on the filing of a VA 21-0966 Intent to File within one year of May 7, 2016.

The Veteran's cervical strain and lumbosacral strain disabilities are being remanded for further examination to assess the severity of these conditions.