Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that additional evidence needs to be reviewed by the RO, and the claims for service connection are being remanded. The Veteran's appeals include issues related to lower back disability, left hip disability, headaches (including migraines), right knee disability, and cervical spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities, including bilateral flat feet, low back and neck conditions, narcolepsy, psychiatric disorders, and respiratory disabilities. The Veteran will be afforded VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's application to reopen a claim of service connection for left upper extremity neurological disability is granted, and the Board also grants service connection for left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy as secondary to his service-connected cervical spine degenerative disc disease.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, finding that they were aggravated by his active duty service. Service connection was also denied for a cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen claims for various disabilities, including right thumb, shoulder, hip, knee, and neck disabilities as well as headaches, has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these issues.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right ankle disability, hypertension, low back disability, neck disability, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and right knee patellofemoral syndrome. The Veteran's claims were based on direct evidence of a current condition related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder and right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to the service-connected cervical spine disorder.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability and dismissed the appeal regarding a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to December 29, 2022 as moot. The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s)(1) was also denied.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and obstructive sleep apnea to ensure that there is a complete record upon which to decide the Veteran's claim and to afford him every possible consideration.

The Board has determined that the VA examination in connection with the Veteran's cervical spine disorder claim is inadequate and remanded for a new examination. The Veteran's service-connected right and left total knee arthroplasties are not considered to have caused his cervical spine disorders, but further evaluation by a VA examiner is needed to determine if any other conditions or disabilities may be related to his military service.

The Veteran's back, neck, and radicular symptoms have worsened since his last VA examinations. The AOJ must schedule new examinations to determine the current severity of his disabilities and readjudicate the issues on appeal.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim prior to November 13, 2015 for consideration of an extraschedular rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b). The SMC based on housebound status is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete information about the Veteran's service and need for additional medical opinions. The claim will be reconsidered with new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not shown to preclude her from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and therefore the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess current symptomatology and etiology.

The Veteran's low back disability, neck disability, and bilateral calf muscle pain have been granted service connection.,Obstructive sleep apnea has also been granted secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depression, left upper extremity radiculopathy, cervical spine condition, tinnitus, scar with puncture wound residuals, and obstructive sleep apnea, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The case is being remanded for referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has found that there was not substantial compliance with its prior remand directives and has ordered further development to ensure a complete record upon which to decide the Veteran's claims for service connection of lumbar spine, cervical spine, and scalp scar disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to lack of compliance with examination requirements, need for new evidence, and need for further medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the July 2021 and December 2021 remand instructions were not substantially complied with, necessitating a new examination to address whether the Veteran's neck disability is related to his service-connected TMJ.