Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2023

The Board denied service connection for thoracolumbar and cervical spine disabilities, finding that the evidence did not establish a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine, lumbar spine, bilateral knee disabilities and bilateral sciatica due to in-service events such as constant bending over, crawling on knees, and laying on back during 8 years of fixing vehicles. The VA will schedule the Veteran for examinations to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence and procedural errors. The claims for increased ratings and service connection will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Board dismissed all service connection claims for various conditions, including shoulder disorders, spine disorders, peripheral neuropathies, and psychiatric disorders, due to exposure at Camp Lejeune. The decision is based on the Veteran's death.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as they are related to a service-connected left shoulder disability. The VA will need to obtain additional medical records and provide an addendum opinion regarding whether these spinal conditions were aggravated by the service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Board has dismissed all issues related to the Veteran's service connection and rating claims due to his death during the appeal process.

The Board has denied service connection for a cervical spine disability and has remanded the claim of total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeals for otitis externa and urinary frequency were dismissed. The Veteran's claims for a left shoulder disability, a left trapezoid disability, and a testicular disability are granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for updated examinations and additional opinions regarding his service-connected conditions, including residuals of a right 5th metacarpal fracture, cervical strain, lumbar strain, TBI, tinnitus, and PTSD. The AOJ should ensure that these examinations are scheduled and completed.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, traumatic brain injury with cognitive/memory issues, an acquired psychiatric disorder, a cervical spine condition, radiculopathy of the upper extremities, and a lower back condition. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during or were related to service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board denied an increased rating as his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on range of motion and functional loss.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation as of June 20, 2015.,Prior to June 20, 2015, the Veteran's TDIU claim was remanded for referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The cases of hearing loss, cervical spine disability, and right elbow disability are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and a need for an adequate etiological opinion regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disorder.

The Veteran's appeals for separate ratings for digestive conditions and earlier effective dates for SMC benefits were dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran is entitled to SMC (o) based on his service-connected disabilities, which require him to have aid and attendance. He also qualifies for SMC (r)(1).

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, including pain and limitation of movement, was incurred in service. The Board granted service connection for the condition.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for skin cancer, which is presumed due to in-service exposure to toxic chemicals like tetrahydro fluorine.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ulcerative colitis was denied, and his ratings for cervical spine disability were also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection or an increase in rating.

The Veteran's current neck disability is reasonably shown to be related to an injury in service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition under Chapter 17 of title 38 U.S.C. The right foot and right knee issues are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has found in favor of the Veteran, granting her claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability as secondary to her service-connected thoracolumbar spine condition.