Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot condition and a neck condition due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of these conditions. The AOJ is required to obtain an addendum medical opinion from a qualified professional to address the Veteran's lay statements about when his symptoms began.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and a need for additional examinations. The Veteran is seeking service connection for various eye, back, knee, hand, and foot conditions.

The Board has dismissed all issues of service connection and increased ratings, as the Veteran withdrew his appeals for these claims during a hearing. The Veteran was granted TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD is granted with a disability rating of 50 percent effective from April 26, 2016.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for other conditions (vertebral fracture and lumbar discectomy, cervical strain, IBS, and bilateral hearing loss) are denied as they were not received within one year after separation from service or earlier.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine and low back disabilities, including as secondary to bilateral knee disabilities. The case is being returned due to a failure to comply with prior remand orders regarding obtaining records from Andrews Air Force Base.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to care for his daily personal needs without assistance from others, and the Board grants special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board dismissed the appeals for PTSD, anxiety, depression, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and cervical spondylosis as untimely filed.

The Board has decided that there is insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran's cervical spine degenerative arthritis is caused or aggravated by his service-connected dorsal spine condition. The case is being sent back for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete examinations and insufficient medical opinions. The claims will be reconsidered with additional evaluations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to a duty to assist error and the need for additional medical opinions regarding his cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.,The Veteran's plantar fasciitis including bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus and residuals of left great toe fracture is rated at 30 percent, which is appropriate given her symptoms do not meet the criteria for more severe ratings.,The Veteran's bilateral TMD joint dysfunction with nocturnal bruxism is rated at 10 percent, which is appropriate based on her interincisal range and dietary restrictions.,The Veteran's cervical strain with degenerative arthritis including disc space narrowing is rated at 10 percent, which is appropriate given the limitations in motion and functional impairment.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy, femoral nerve is rated at 30 percent, which is appropriate based on her symptoms and findings.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy, femoral nerve is rated at 40 percent, which is appropriate given the severity of her symptoms and functional impairment.,The Veteran's thoracolumbar strain including degenerative arthritis is rated at 20 percent, which is appropriate based on her findings and limitations.,The Veteran's uterine fibroid is not compensable as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's neuroendocrine tumor and cervical lymphadenopathy are being remanded for further examination to determine if they are related to his military service, including exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain. The issues of service connection for neck disability and bilateral hip condition are remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant withdrew it before a decision was made.

The Veteran's disabilities of the cervical spine, left ankle, left great toe, bilateral knees, right shoulder, and lumbar spine are not attributable to his active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to pre-decisional errors in fulfilling VA's duty to assist. The Board finds that additional examinations are needed for the hip, shoulder, neck pain, and jaw disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability as secondary to his service-connected cervical spine condition, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the claim.

The Veteran's headaches are found to be proximately due to her service-connected cervical spine discogenic disease, and thus she is granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to errors in fulfilling the duty to assist, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing adequate medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current neck, right upper extremity, left ankle, and left foot disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, myelopathy of cervical spinal cord with cervical radiculopathy, and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood as secondary to peripheral arterial disease, left lower extremity.