Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of compression deformity of the cervical spine with degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis is denied. The Board found that the earliest effective date possible was October 29, 2021.

The Board has denied service connection for lumbosacral strain, cervical spine strain, right knee strain, left shoulder strain, and right shoulder strain as the evidence does not support a relationship to service or within one year of separation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including a neck disability, left shoulder disability, right paresthesias, left paresthesias, [residual(s) of] acute bronchitis, and bilateral knee disabilities. The evidence does not support the presence of these conditions during or shortly after service.

The appeal regarding the timeliness of the January 2020 VA Form 9 is dismissed. The claims for increased evaluations are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for cervical spine, bilateral shoulder, bilateral knee, and bilateral hip conditions due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran's son A. was recognized as a helpless child for VA purposes, and the effective date of February 5, 2013, is granted for additional dependency benefits based on this recognition.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding service connection for lumbar disc disease and neck disability due to a withdrawal request from the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for cervical spine and right shoulder disorders, both claimed as secondary to service-connected plantar fasciitis. The VA is instructed to obtain addendum opinions addressing whether each condition would have been less severe but for the service-connected plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to his service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood. The claim for left ear hearing loss is denied, and the claim for a cervical spine disability is remanded.

The appeal for service connection for a cervical spine disability, to include cervicalgia, was withdrawn by the Veteran and is therefore dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for VA examinations to determine if his claimed disabilities are related to his active duty service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations or to his participation in a TERA.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical strain did not begin during service and is not otherwise related to her active duty. The evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology or a nexus between the current disability and service.

The Board has denied service connection for athletes' foot due to the lack of a current diagnosis during the appeal period.,The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for neck disability, lower back disability (secondary to left knee disability), and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and anxiety) as there are pre-decisional duty to assist errors requiring further development.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, including cervical strain with degenerative arthritis and invertebral disc syndrome, is denied as not shown to be causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident during service.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of various disabilities due to improper procedural steps.

The Veteran's bilateral hand, cervical spine, and bilateral knee disabilities are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is also granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for cervical disc disease, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and right knee disability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including skin, GERD, left shoulder, rhinitis, sinusitis, bilateral plantar fasciitis, IBS, and sleep apnea. The right shoulder, cervical spine, right knee, left knee, and erectile dysfunction claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's migraine headaches were granted a 50% rating prior to October 16, 2020 and denied any higher rating from that date. The cervical strain was granted an initial 20% rating prior to October 16, 2020 and denied any higher rating.