Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that the VA examinations provided for the Veteran's cervical spine, left shoulder, left knee, and lower back disabilities were inadequate due to a lack of information on where pain begins during motion. The Board therefore orders remand for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a cervical spine disability, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, an epigastric hernia, erectile dysfunction (claimed as sexual dysfunction), an acquired psychiatric disability, and a lumbar spine disability due to new and relevant evidence having been received.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical discopathy is at least as likely as not due to an injury sustained during active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and has granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability had its onset during service and grants entitlement to service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating.,Service connection for chronic myelogenous leukemia was granted, with the condition presumed to be related to service exposure to benzene.

The Veteran's anxiety and depressive disorders with panic attacks, as well as his cervical spine degenerative arthritis, are now rated at 70 percent effective May 5, 2015. The Board has granted an earlier effective date for the service connection of these conditions.

The Board dismissed the appeal of the issues regarding service connection for bilateral shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, and right knee disability due to the appellant's death.

The appeals of the denial of service connection for various conditions are dismissed due to the AMA effective date. The Veteran's initial ratings for hemorrhoids and asthma are granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in obtaining VA treatment records, including those from prior to February 2004 and from other VA facilities. The Veteran is also asked to provide release forms for non-VA providers who treated her for neck complaints.

The Veteran's cervical sprain, old minor fractures of spinous processes of T1&C6, and cervical spine, mild spondylosis & mild degenerative disc disease C5-C6 claimed as neck condition has been rated at 20 percent disabling since October 10, 2018. The Board found that the Veteran's disability picture more nearly approximates a 20 percent rating.

The Board has granted service connection for diagnosed right shoulder strain, left shoulder strain, lumbar strain, and cervical spine disability characterized by painful limited motion. The Veteran's symptoms of pain and limited range of motion have been recurrent since his military service.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is granted service connection based on direct evidence. The claims for chronic fatigue, sleep apnea, indigestion, cervical thoracic disability, and right ankle disability are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for recurrent cervical, lumbar, and right shoulder disabilities due to a lack of adequate VA examinations. The claims will be reviewed with new evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings on his cervical spine disability and PTSD, as well as a TDIU prior to August 15, 2019, were dismissed because the AMA docketing was improper. The exact issues have already been adjudicated by the Board under the legacy system.

The Board has dismissed all issues of entitlement to increased disability ratings for various conditions, including right knee and upper extremity disabilities as well as bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran withdrew his appeals prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Board has remanded both issues for further development and consideration, including obtaining an opinion regarding the likely etiology of the cervical spine condition.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, left and right upper extremity radiculopathies are granted with a 40 percent evaluation effective July 22, 2016.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals, satisfied with his 100 percent disability rating.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions due to untimely filing of VA Form 10182.

The Veteran's cervical strain and degenerative joint disease are granted service connection. The Veteran is awarded a 40 percent rating for Raynaud's syndrome, bilateral hands. Service connection for loss of strength in the right hand is granted.