Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran withdrew her appeal, resulting in dismissal of all service connection claims for various knee and radiculopathy conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, asthma with sleep apnea, chronic kidney disease, and various musculoskeletal conditions, render him unable to perform daily activities without regular aid and attendance. The Board has determined that the criteria for SMC based on need for aid and attendance have been met.

The Board has granted an initial disability rating of 30 percent for the Veteran's right shoulder disability (cervical impingement syndrome) effective February 26, 2020. The criteria for this rating have been met due to ankylosis of the scapulohumeral articulation with favorable ankylosis in abduction up to 60 degrees and reach to mouth and head.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to determine if he should be granted service connection for headaches as secondary to his cervical strain with degenerative arthritis.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, and right shoulder disorders as secondary to diabetes mellitus Type II and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for salivary duct stones and lumbar/cervical disorder as they are duplicative of a previous decision.

The Board has denied an increased rating for the Veteran's neck disability and remanded the claim for service connection of OSA. The decision also found that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's OSA is related to his active duty service, including exposure to toxic substances in Southwest Asia.

The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for cervical strain, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, DDD of the cervical spine, Barrett's esophagus, RUE palsy, and LUE palsy due to potential service connection based on military noise exposure and contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee, ankle, foot, hip disabilities and cervical spine disability. The evidence did not show a current disability or any related symptoms that caused impairment in earning capacity during the appeal period.

The Board has denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed right ear hearing loss, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, left shoulder disability, left lower extremity disability, and right lower extremity disability as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence.

The Board has granted service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, headaches, and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss and cervical spondylosis with cervical strain (neck disability) and low back disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to new evidence and non-VA-generated evidence being added to his claims file.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine, right upper extremity neurological disorder, and left upper extremity neurological disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for gastrointestinal and cervical spine disabilities, as well as the claim for a higher rating for psychiatric disability. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered with additional evidence obtained.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, cervical spine disorder, headaches, left shoulder disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded all claims related to service connection for various shoulder and back conditions, as well as left wrist pain. The reasons include the need for additional medical opinions considering the Veteran's in-service experiences.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck disability, low back disability, and prostate cancer due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection. The Veteran must be provided with a VA examination to determine the etiology of his disabilities and verify any exposure to toxic substances like AFFF.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine condition, finding that there is no current disability and insufficient evidence to establish an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, left shoulder and upper arm injury, and right shoulder and upper arm injury. The decision also grants these conditions as secondary to a service-connected disability (cervical spine).