Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2024

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of January 25, 2019 for various service connection and increased rating claims. The Veteran's original claim was filed through his local Veterans Service Officer (VSO) on January 25, 2019.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left hip, right hip, cervical spine DDD with spinal stenosis, and RUE cervical radiculopathy have been granted. The initial increased rating of 30 percent for GERD during the review period (from June 8, 2020, through October 23, 2020) has also been granted.

The Board is remanding the claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates due to new evidence received after the initial decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is granted due to continuity of symptoms since service. The claims for OSA and BPPV are remanded as additional evidence is needed.

The Veteran's appeals to restore ratings for cervical spine strain and thoracolumbar spine strain from 10 percent to 20 percent were denied as the evidence did not show improvement in these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and cervical spine, as well as his heart condition related to toxic exposure risk activity (TERA), have been granted. The heart claim is remanded due to a need for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for low back disability, radiculopathy of lower extremities, neck disability and associated radiculopathy, sleep apnea, and psychiatric disability due to incomplete information.

The Board denied service connection for a neck condition, finding that the preponderance of evidence is against the claim.,The Board also denied service connection for a low back condition, concluding that the preponderance of evidence does not support the claim.

The Board has denied service connection for a right ring finger injury and remanded the issue of service connection for a minimal degenerative joint disease (neck disability). The Veteran's current neck disability is not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder and cervical spine disorders due to a missed VA examination. The case is now pending for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to missing medical records and a need for clarification from the Veteran regarding her military status on the date of a letter submitted in 2013.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis due to his service-connected cervical DDD, finding insufficient evidence to substantiate that he is unemployable.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disability, a bilateral eye disability, left ear hearing loss, a head nodule, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities prior to August 10, 2022, were denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for these conditions based on direct evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for cervical spine spondylosis and right shoulder acromioclavicular joint separation due to outstanding VA treatment records, private healthcare provider records, and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disorder and degenerative arthritis of the spine due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions. The VA is required to obtain addendum medical opinions addressing whether the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence from earlier periods of service. The Appellant's current disabilities are being reviewed based on the available records.

The Veteran's tension headaches and tinnitus were found to be incurred in service.,Service connection was granted for bilateral shin splints, left hip disability, right hip disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left wrist and forearm disability, right wrist disability, and right elbow disability as secondary to generalized anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed as the issues were improperly docketed under the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) system.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound status due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he was not in need of regular aid and assistance nor permanently bedridden.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck condition (claimed as cervical back pain) due to insufficient evidence of current disability or persistent symptoms, and because there was no indication that his in-service injury resulted in any lasting effects.