Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chronic recurrent tenso-vascular headaches and cervical spine disability prior to the specified dates were denied as there was no evidence showing that his conditions met the criteria for a higher rating based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of the initial rating and effective date of service connection assigned for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's current cervical spine disability is granted, but his claims for upper back and lower back disabilities are remanded due to lack of sufficient nexus opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, disability ratings, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for further development including VA medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional records and further review of the claims, including those related to effective dates.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the loss of Veteran's service treatment records. The claims will be reviewed with a focus on determining whether there is sufficient evidence to establish service connection for the claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities. The VA is instructed to obtain additional evidence and schedule the Veteran for examinations to provide a more definitive opinion on whether his current disabilities are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various recurrent hand, hip, and foot disabilities to include degenerative arthritis, all claimed as due to herbicide agent exposure in Vietnam. The VA is instructed to schedule the Veteran for additional examinations to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various disabilities, including left ankle, right ankle, left knee, right knee, neck, and back conditions are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred during or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea and low back disability has been reopened, but the claims are still pending as new evidence did not establish a current disability or link to service.,The Veteran's claim for chronic sinusitis is being remanded due to its potential secondary relationship with his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his cervical spine disability, right shoulder disability, and migraine headaches has been dismissed.,The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is rated at no more than 20 percent from June 1, 2014 to November 24, 2020.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a link to active service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine disorder, back disorder (claimed as thoracic spine disorder), right shoulder disorder, residuals of a head injury, BUE numbness, and BLE numbness. The claims were reopened due to new and material evidence received since the final denial in 2010.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a cervical spine disability and left eye disability due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The case will be reviewed again with consideration of all applicable laws and regulations.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings has been withdrawn and dismissed. The issues of unspecified anxiety disorder, unspecified depressive disorder, IVDS (neck), lumbar spine disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity sciatic radulopathy, and right lower extremity sciatic radulopathy remain on appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding records and the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's neck disability and carpal tunnel syndromes were rated, with some issues remanded for further evaluation.