Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, but a higher rating is not warranted due to the lack of forward flexion or ankylosis.,Left lower extremity sciatica was rated at 10 percent prior to February 13, 2017, and granted a 40 percent rating from that date onwards.

The Board denied service connection for a neck and back disability, finding that there was no evidence linking the current disabilities to service or any qualifying period of active duty.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, claimed as cervical strain with muscle pain and arthritis, is granted.,The Veteran's chronic right trapezius disorder is granted.,The Veteran's headaches are secondary to his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical strain with degenerative arthritis and entitlement to a TDIU due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The decision is based on credible lay evidence of continuous neck pain symptoms since separation from active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, right knee, and TMJ disabilities due to inadequate examinations and missing medical records.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for Lyme disease and remanded all associated issues due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between his current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's initial 10 percent rating for left foot hallux valgus is granted. The Board also finds that the Veteran has a current service-connected disability, but remands his claims for additional examinations to determine the severity of his left knee and cervical spine disabilities as well as his PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, and neck disability due to a lack of treatment records and incomplete opinions regarding secondary service connection.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, headaches, and a cervical spine disability due to the lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or related to military service.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine strain and bilateral hearing loss as there was no evidence of current disabilities meeting VA criteria, or a relationship to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that new evidence had not been submitted to reopen his tinnitus claim, but remanded other issues including depression, lower extremity radiculopathy, shoulder disabilities, knee disabilities, lumbar spine disability, neck disability, hip disabilities, irritable colon syndrome, and bladder disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for muscle and joint pain (cervical spine, shoulders, and back) is being remanded due to the lack of service treatment records from his period of active duty in 1990-1991.

The Veteran's cervical spine strain has been rated at 10 percent since September 27, 2015. The Board denied a higher rating for the condition as of July 18, 2023.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability of disc degeneration and segmental dysfunction of the lumbar spine, a neck disability of disc degeneration and segmental dysfunction of the cervical spine, and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. The criteria for direct service connection have been met in all cases.

The Board has found that there was not substantial compliance with the April 2023 remand directives and thus another remand is required for a new VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's back disability. The service connection for neck disability remains inextricably intertwined with the back disability, so both issues are also remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to January 31, 2011, finding that his service-connected conditions did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), a psychiatric disability, headaches, a cervical spine disability, and a right foot disability due to additional development being necessary.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and review of evidence regarding whether his cervical spine surgery resulted in residuals, including inability to use his bilateral arms. The claim will be reconsidered based on the new information.

The Board has remanded the claims for a compensable rating for TBI, service connection for right shoulder, thoracolumbar spine, and cervical spine disabilities as secondary to service-connected disabilities, and service connection for headaches as secondary to service-connected disabilities due to non-compliance with prior remand directives.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is found to be etiologically related to his active service, and the Board has granted entitlement to service connection for this condition.