Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee, left knee, and cervical spine disorders due to a motor vehicle accident in 1971. The case is returned for further development.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions considering his work history and lay statements regarding his ability to perform as an electrician or support technician.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings related to cervical strain with degenerative arthritis, mild degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, left lower extremity sciatica, and PTSD are being remanded due to incomplete development. Additional records need to be obtained, including VA treatment records from VistA Imaging and private chiropractic and physical therapy records. The Veteran's work history must also be updated.

The Board denied service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for the Veteran's cervical spine, right shoulder, and right knee disabilities due to VA treatment in July 2009. The Board found that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and active service or VA treatment.

The Board has granted service connection for left ankle degenerative arthritis, left leg tibia and fibula malunion with degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine spondylosis, left knee degenerative arthritis, right knee degenerative arthritis, cervical spine degenerative arthritis and DDD with neural impingement at the C6-C7 disc, and right shoulder tendonitis and arthritis.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for various musculoskeletal conditions, including cervical spine disorder, right and left shoulder impingement syndrome and AC arthritis, right wrist tendinitis, left wrist tendinitis, right hand tendinitis, left hand tendinitis, right ankle tendinitis, and left ankle tendinitis. The issues are currently under further development.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disabilities have been denied as service connection cannot be granted for PTSD due to lack of a valid clinical diagnosis.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU effective December 15, 2016, on a schedular basis due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The extraschedular TDIU claim between April 1, 2016, and December 15, 2016, is remanded for further review.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II. The cervical spine disability and right upper extremity radiculopathy claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and evaluation of his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, lumbar spine, bilateral foot, hearing loss, gastritis, GERD, sleep apnea, headaches, vision impairment, cervicalgia, knee disabilities, hip strains, and ankle strains.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck and back disabilities, but has remanded them due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical and lumbar spine disorders due to incomplete records from his service period. A new examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection for lumbosacral spine arthritis and cervical spine arthritis was granted, but the claims of higher ratings were denied. Service connection for a disability manifested by chronic fatigue was also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, secondary to service-connected cervical strain with degenerative joint and degenerative disc disease. The appeal regarding bilateral hip disability (including arthritis) and right shoulder A/C separation is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical and lumbosacral spine conditions due to inadequate medical opinions in the previous decisions. The case is now pending further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Board finds the evidence does not establish current hearing loss in either ear that qualifies for purposes of service connection.,The appeals for service connection for right leg and left leg shin splints are remanded as there is no medical evidence or credible lay evidence establishing a current disability during the pendency of the claim period.,The appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected right ankle strain status post fracture is remanded due to conflicting information regarding functional loss and ankylosis.,The appeal for service connection for right knee gout is remanded as there are contradictory findings regarding the Veteran's ability to flex his knee during a flare-up.,The appeal for service connection for temporomandibular joint disability is remanded due to incomplete examination report and unclear reasons provided by the examiner.,The appeals for service connection for lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities are remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding continuity of symptoms or treatment post-service.,The appeals for service connection for right hand and left hand disabilities are remanded due to lack of a VA medical examination addressing these conditions.,The appeal for service connection for left knee disability is remanded as the VA Regional Office has not obtained an appropriate medical examination or opinion regarding this condition.

The Board has denied service connection for headaches, a back condition, a neck condition, and a left shoulder condition. The Veteran's disabilities are not shown as chronic in service or within the applicable presumptive period, and there is no evidence of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's right hip trochanteric bursitis and GERD disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation. Service connection is also being remanded for several other conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disability. A new VA examination is needed to determine if the condition is related to service.