Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and etiological opinions regarding his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her lumbar spine disability, cervical DDD, and left hemi-dystonia were denied. The lumbar spine disability was not rated higher than 10 percent prior to April 8, 2018, and the cervical DDD was not rated higher than 30 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's claims for service connection related to postoperative changes related to spinal fusion with mild kyphosis of the cervical spine, bilateral pes planus, and chronic diarrhea have been granted. The claim for left groin disability and chronic pain in the pelvic region and thigh has been remanded.,Service connection was also granted for residuals of left Achilles tendinitis.

The Board has granted service connection for thoracolumbar and cervical spine conditions as secondary to bilateral hip conditions. The case is remanded for further examination regarding the cervical spine condition.

The Veteran's neck/cervical spine disorder is not service-connected.,The Veteran's left shoulder bursitis and right shoulder bursitis are both rated at the maximum allowable under current VA regulations.

The Board denied service connection for a right foot disorder and cervical spine arthritis as there was no evidence of chronic disabling injuries during service, continuity of symptoms after discharge, or a causal relationship between the current conditions and service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, left and right upper extremity nerve disabilities, fibromyalgia, and urinary incontinence are being remanded for additional development to determine their etiology.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for several conditions, including right knee disability and others. The issues of service connection for erectile dysfunction, cervical spine disability, and sleep apnea are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the nature and etiology of his cervical spine disorder, left knee and hip disorders, as well as chronic bronchitis, urinary hesitancy, diabetes mellitus, and obstructive sleep apnea prior to specific dates. The VA is instructed to obtain additional medical opinions that address these issues.

The Veteran's prostate enlargement with urinary frequency and neck/upper back (cervical spine) disability are granted as secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's cervical spine and thoracolumbar spine disabilities, along with associated radiculopathies of the upper and lower extremities, are granted as service-connected.,Separate issues regarding knee disabilities remain pending.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection and rating for various disabilities, including a physical sleep disorder. The Veteran's claims are being referred back for further development.

The Board has dismissed the issue of service connection for bilateral cervical radiculopathy. The issues of initial ratings higher than 40 percent for a low back disability, and initial ratings higher than 20 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy and 10 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded due to the Veteran's assertions of worsening symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of medical records and incomplete evidence. The claims will be further developed with an emphasis on obtaining relevant treatment records, including from VA and private sources.

The Veteran's cervical spine spondylosis with foraminal stenosis, right knee patellofemoral pain and chondromalacia, left knee patellofemoral pain and chondromalacia, and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis are all remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a gastrointestinal condition, including IBS, as well as his other issues. The remand is necessary to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any currently diagnosed gastrointestinal condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient VA medical opinions and has ordered addendum opinions that must consider the Veteran's statements and supporting medical literature. The neck disability is now considered secondary to service-connected spinal meningitis.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was rated as 10 percent disabling prior to August 15, 2019. The Board has remanded the issue for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, cervical spine disability, and psychiatric disability (PTSD) have been granted. The issue of bilateral hearing loss is dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal request. GERD and sleep disability issues are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for folliculitis and tinea pedis was dismissed. The claim of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine with radiculopathy to the right upper extremity (previously right arm muscular pain/numbness) is granted.