Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2024

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck and right shoulder disabilities due to a lack of VA examinations. The Veteran contends that his current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal involves the need for a higher rating in excess of 20 percent for various service-connected conditions including cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities, as well as bilateral upper and lower extremity radiculopathies. The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the severity of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, finding that there was no persuasive evidence showing he needed regular aid and assistance from another person or was housebound as a result of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly assess the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their impact on his daily life. The Veteran will be provided with new VA examinations for his cervical spine, lumbar spine, PTSD, migraine headaches, bilateral foot disability, scar of the right hand long finger, penile disorder, and sleep apnea.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for neck condition, back condition, and bilateral upper extremity cervical radiculopathy due to incomplete records. The Veteran's testimony indicates he began treatment in 2005, but VA treatment records are missing.

The Board has remanded multiple claims due to the need for additional medical examinations and records, including those related to service connection and disability ratings.

The Veteran's right eye and hypertension disability claims have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability has been granted service connection, but his hypertension rating remains at 10 percent.,Service connection for OSA is granted based on evidence in relative equipoise regarding its onset during service.,Left knee and right shoulder disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion.,An initial compensable rating for insomnia is also remanded.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability may be secondary to his left shoulder or cervical spine disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for migraine headaches, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, right wrist disability, cervical spine disability, and low back disability have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show any current disabilities related to these conditions during his qualifying periods of active duty.,There is no credible evidence showing that the Veteran experienced any injuries or diseases related to these conditions during his service in the North Carolina National Guard.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling examinations. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection or increased ratings for various conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining medical opinions and verifying his National Guard service.

The appeal for sleep apnea and increased rating for left ulnar nerve neuropathy has been dismissed.,The right wrist disability, cervical spine disability, and GERD (hiatal hernia) claims have been reopened and are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, left foot achilles tendonitis, left foot plantar fasciitis, and right foot metatarsalgia due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their onset during service or relationship to service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied from November 27, 2012 due to his full-time employment at VA and the Department of the Navy. Despite having a combined disability rating of 80%, he maintained substantial gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's right wrist disability, specifically radial nerve peripheral neuropathy and cervical radiculopathy. The VA is required to obtain an addendum opinion from a neurologist to clarify these conditions.

The Veteran's cervical strain and lumbosacral strain have been granted service connection. Other conditions are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has dismissed all claims related to increased ratings and effective dates for various knee, back, and shoulder conditions due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum VA medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's cervical spine DDD produces symptoms functionally equivalent to unfavorable ankylosis of the cervical spine.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, right upper extremity radiculopathy, migraines, left upper extremity radiculopathy, left shoulder slap tear, degenerative arthritis of cervical spine, left knee disability, TBI, tinnitus, asthma, and erectile dysfunction, rendered him unable to obtain and/or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from obtaining and maintaining such employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II (DM II), bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the legs, bilateral arm radiculopathy, and cervical spine (neck) disability due to inadequate medical opinions. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for higher ratings due to conflicting range of motion measurements in previous examinations. New VA examinations are needed to determine the current severity of his low back, neck, and right knee disabilities.