Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2024

The Board has found that the appellant does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, including for heart conditions, acquired psychiatric disorders (anxiety and depression), hypertension, cervical spine condition, bilateral shoulder conditions, elbow conditions, wrist conditions, hip conditions, knee conditions, ankle conditions, or foot conditions. The claims are being remanded to obtain appropriate medical examinations and opinions.,The Board has found that the appellant does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, including for heart conditions, acquired psychiatric disorders (anxiety and depression), hypertension, cervical spine condition, bilateral shoulder conditions, elbow conditions, wrist conditions, hip conditions, knee conditions, ankle conditions, or foot conditions. The claims are being remanded to obtain appropriate medical examinations and opinions.

The appeal of service connection for blisters, cervical strain, incontinence, heart disease, and diabetes mellitus has been dismissed as the VA Form 10182 was submitted after the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and thoracolumbar spine scoliosis / lower back disability, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.,The VA examiner opined that the current disabilities were less likely than not incurred during active duty due to lack of medical records documenting such injuries.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disability and related neurological manifestations. A new VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including cervical spine, right shoulder, lumbar spine, bilateral hip, right knee, left foot, and right foot disabilities. The evidence did not establish a clear and unmistakable error in the finding of current diagnoses or show a causal relationship to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA were granted with an effective date of November 9, 2009. The VA also determined that the Veteran is entitled to SMC.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and consideration of outstanding service treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The effective date for the right lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral) was granted on November 18, 2020.,The effective date for the left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral) was also granted on November 18, 2020. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require him to have regular aid and attendance of another person, leading to the grant of special monthly compensation based on this need.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis during or contemporaneous to the appeal period. The Veteran's cervical spine disability and GERD were also denied, with the cervical spine disability rated at 10 percent and GERD rated at 10 percent under DC 7346. The right hand scar claim was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

Service connection for a neck disorder, including cervical DDD with IVDS is granted.,Effective date of March 19, 2019, for right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for all listed conditions, resulting in the dismissal of these claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical spondylosis, finding that there is no evidence of chronic disability during or within a presumptive period after service and no causal relationship to an in-service injury. The Veteran's current diagnosis was not shown as chronic in service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher level of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on loss of use of both feet is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records from VA and private sources.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for cervical strain and degenerative joint disease, currently rated at 20%, are dismissed. The Veteran is granted a 30% rating for migraines from July 14, 2014 to May 18, 2015. The claim for TDIU prior to April 27, 2020 is denied due to the Veteran's failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his right knee disability, including instability and limitation of flexion. The Board has remanded these issues for further development.

The Board granted service connection for cervical spine strain and headaches as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain, but denied a higher rating for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for back and neck disabilities due to insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran's lay statements will be considered, along with his reported symptoms during service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various orthopedic disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability or a causal relationship to service.