Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether in-service injuries contributed to current conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for migraines.,For cervical strain, the Veteran was denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent, and for intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis, he was also denied such a rating.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is granted.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than May 8, 2018, for the grant of service connection for radiculopathy of the right upper extremity is denied. The cervical spine disability was not pending or unadjudicated prior to May 8, 2018.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for cervical degenerative arthritis, injury to coccyx (low back condition and chronic pain syndrome), and right leg condition was granted. The issues of service connection for the low back disability and right leg condition are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for cervical spine, low back, bilateral foot (plantar fasciitis), bilateral ankle (sprain and tendonitis), and bilateral knee disabilities due to insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran's lay statements regarding her symptoms and their timeline are considered in reaching a decision.

Service connection for IBS is granted, and a rating in excess of 50 percent for migraine disability is denied. The claim for service connection for cervical neck strain is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA, left knee joint osteoarthritis, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine (back), degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine (neck), and headaches. The Veteran's conditions are found to be at least as likely as not related to his military service.,The decision also remanded the issue of service connection for right knee joint osteoarthritis.

The Board denied the reopening of claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and psychiatric disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck, left shoulder, right shoulder, and back disabilities due to inadequate VA opinions based on the factual record.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for cervical spine intervertebral disc disease with degenerative arthritis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of right knee, back, lumbar spine, and neck disabilities have been granted. The claim for migraine headaches is still pending.

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to reopen his claims for service connection for psychiatric disorder, cervical spine disorder, bilateral shoulder disorder, and tinnitus. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability and a neck condition. The claims are now remanded for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with the February 2023 remand and thus, the appeal must be remanded again. The Veteran seeks service connection for a cervical spine disability either as directly related to his service or as caused or aggravated by his service-connected low back disability.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus and residuals of cervical spine disc herniations at C5-6 and C6-7 with narrowing of neural foramina, status post anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) surgery.,Service connection is remanded for a lumbar spine condition and bilateral plantar fasciitis. Service connection is also remanded for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck, back, and right knee disabilities due to a lack of VA examinations addressing the etiology of these conditions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these disabilities.

Service connection for cervical spine DDD and left upper extremity radiculopathy have been dismissed. Service connection for insomnia, including as secondary to the service-connected cervical spine DDD and left upper extremity radiculopathy, is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations and additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the current severity of his cervical spondylosis, lumbar spondylosis, radiculopathy, and other conditions. The issues include increased ratings for these disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for the issues of higher ratings for bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, the left shoulder, dysthymic disorder, and cervical spine. As a result, these issues are dismissed.