Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's white matter disease is granted as secondary to her service-connected migraine headaches. The cervical spine disability claim is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for vision disability, cervical strain disability, left elbow disability, right elbow disability, and migraine disability are remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of vision problems, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, and chronic urticaria as these conditions have been granted during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition and erectile dysfunction are now considered secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.,New evidence has been submitted, including VA examination reports and a private medical opinion, which supports the claim for secondary service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for a headache disability but has remanded the claim of cervical strain due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that there were duty to assist errors in the previous VA examinations and requires additional medical opinions to determine if any current cervical spine, left elbow, left shoulder, or lower back conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck and low back disabilities must be remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. Specifically, VA treatment records from 2003 to present need to be obtained, and a VA examination is required.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed as he withdrew his appeals.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease with spinal fusion and spinal stenosis, finding that the Veteran's current condition had its onset during service.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine, lumbar spine, and headache conditions are granted. A separate 10 percent rating is granted for left knee instability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a cervical spine disability prior to December 8, 2022, and TDIU prior to February 28, 2020 are also remanded.

The Veteran's cervical strain with degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 10 percent prior to September 20, 2021, and at 30 percent thereafter. The claim for a higher rating remains denied as the evidence does not support an increase in ratings.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated as noncompensable prior to June 3, 2019 and at a 10 percent rating thereafter. The Board found the evidence did not support an increased rating for this condition.,Service connection for right shoulder degenerative arthritis, left shoulder degenerative arthritis, low back disability, cervical spine disability, right foot disability, left foot disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, right knee disability, left knee condition, right hip disability, and left hip disability is remanded.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and remanded two issues related to his lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities. The remaining issues are being remanded for further examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and right arm disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) has been granted, with the condition believed to have started during service.,Service connection was denied for a nose injury and respiratory disorder due to lack of evidence supporting their existence or association with service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his cervical spine disability and left upper extremity radiculopathy due to insufficient reasons and bases in the March 2023 decision. The remand requires a retrospective medical opinion on the Veteran's flare-ups, as well as an examination to assess the severity of his left upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for IVDS of the cervical spine and right shoulder strain due to inadequate medical examinations. The Veteran is required to be re-examined to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of her claimed conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for a neck disability due to potential errors in duty to assist and requires a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck condition is related to his military service.