Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2024

The Board granted service connection for psoriatic arthritis of the cervical spine and right elbow as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected psoriasis, but remanded the claim for a back disorder due to insufficient evidence.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine condition, cervical spine condition, right knee disability, and left knee disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and cervical spine disability to obtain additional medical opinions that adequately address the evidence of record.

The Board has restored a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's cervical spine disorder, effective December 21, 2014. The appeal is also remanded to consider increased ratings for other conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his neck, back, and nerve conditions along with social anxiety disorder, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for multiple conditions due to conflicting evidence regarding the Veteran's dates and types of service.

The Board granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Board granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and headaches, and an initial 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder and generalized anxiety disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the claims of cervical spine strain with intervertebral disc syndrome, lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, and right shoulder impingement syndrome with arthritis.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a low back disorder and cervical spine disorder due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, including the need for VA examinations.

The Board remands the claim for a neck disability to correct a duty to assist error and obtain an adequate medical opinion.

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including a back condition, hearing loss, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus type 2, and various musculoskeletal disorders. The appeal of the claims for a back condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus was dismissed due to untimely notice of disagreement.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and entitlement to SMC(k) and TDIU are being remanded due to procedural errors. The case is also remanded for a VA examination to clarify the nature of her FSAD symptoms.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia and bilateral shin splints have been granted service connection. The cervical spine, lumbar spine, right elbow, and miscarriage claims are remanded for further development.,Service connection has been established for fibromyalgia and bilateral shin splints based on their relationship to active duty service.

The Board remands the claims for a higher rating and service connection due to inadequate examinations and missing evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating or service connection for any of the conditions appealed.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for low back and neck disabilities due to a lack of compliance with previous instructions. A new VA examination is needed.

The Veteran's appeals for PTSD, tinnitus, lumbar strain, sleep apnea, cervical strain, upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, adjustment disorder, and a left elbow scar were dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeals. The claims for increased ratings of bilateral cubital tunnel syndrome are denied as the Veteran failed to attend scheduled VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's cervical strain. The Veteran contends that her cervical strain is related to her period of active service, including a September 2003 motor vehicle accident. However, the March 2021 VA examiner's opinion is based on inaccurate information and does not consider all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for malignant skin neoplasm is dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for neck condition and spine condition.