Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2024

The Board found no direct evidence linking the appellant's current cervical spine disorder to his in-service injury, and thus denied service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disability, including private treatment records and a VA examination that did not adequately address the Veteran's claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence received after a prior rating determination. The Veteran is to be afforded VA examinations to determine the etiology of any current right carpal tunnel syndrome, low back disorder, cervical spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, skin disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for various disabilities, including right and left knee conditions, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and a thumb condition. The decision is based on new evidence provided by the Veteran that raises reasonable doubt about whether these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions. The Board is seeking more information on the severity of her lumbosacral strain, the nature of her cervical spine condition, and whether her bilateral ankle and shoulder conditions are related to service or secondary to other disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to potential exposure to Agent Orange and other toxic substances during service. The Veteran's conditions are being reviewed in light of the PACT Act, which requires VA to provide a disability examination and medical nexus opinion when a veteran submits a compensation claim and has evidence of a disability and participation in a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA).

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to evaluate his cervical spine disability, including assessing flare-ups and functional loss.

The Veteran's neck disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected right shoulder disability, and the claim for headaches is also granted as secondary to his service-connected right shoulder disability. The increased rating claim remains pending.

The Board has denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and thoracolumbar spine as there is no evidence that these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical neck disability, finding that there is no credible evidence showing it began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury. The Board also found that the current cervical neck disability is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's IBS and pseudofolliculitis barbae are granted service connection. The cervical spine/neck disability, lumbar spine/low back disability, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity secondary to the lumbar spine are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative, and the Board is dismissing the case as a result.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate for remanding the claims of service connection for thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, bilateral knee disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities. Additional examination is needed to determine if these conditions were incurred in or caused by service.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA spine examination to determine if any current cervical spine disorders are related to service. The acquired psychiatric disorder and obstructive sleep apnea claims have been granted.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's disabilities, including right ankle disability, hip disabilities, cervical spine disability, migraine, and RLE radiculopathy. The case is returned for further consideration with the added evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his service-connected neck disability is denied. The case is remanded to determine the appropriate rating and service connection for headaches.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for bilateral hearing loss as he does not have a current diagnosis related to this condition. For his lumbar spine disorder and cervical spine disorder, additional VA examinations are needed to determine their current severity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and lack of medical opinions. The appeals are pending until further action is taken.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to new evidence being added to the claims file after a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) was issued. The Veteran and his representative have been notified that they need to respond within 45 days or else the appeal will be remanded to the AOJ for review.

The Veteran's flat feet disability, including pes planus and plantar fasciitis (flat feet), is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's back disability is granted as service-connected. The examiner noted that the in-service training did not cause or aggravate her current back condition.,The Veteran's depression is granted as service-connected based on in-service incidents.,The Veteran's left knee disability is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's right arm disability (including elbow and wrist disabilities) is remanded for further evaluation.,The Veteran's right ankle disability is remanded for further evaluation.,The Veteran's left ankle disability is remanded for further evaluation.