Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and migraines (claimed as headaches) due to potential errors in decision-making process.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraines and right hip pain, are found to render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for hypercholesterolemia and multiple myeloma have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,For the remaining conditions, the Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination by a neurologist. The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral upper and lower peripheral neuropathy, to include CIDP and carpal tunnel syndrome, is being reviewed.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's lower back and left knee disabilities, including rating determinations for various periods of time. The case is being returned for further action based on a retrospective opinion addressing the state of the Veteran's disabilities throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is granted as service connected, as it manifested within one year of separation from active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability began during his active service and is related to neck pain he experienced in service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder and cervical spine disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions provided in March 2024. The claims are being returned for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an addendum opinion.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to clarify the Veteran's diagnoses and determine if his disabilities are related to service. The appeal will be remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases due to deficiencies in obtaining VA medical records and additional community care facility records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for recurrent cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities are remanded due to the absence of a VA examination addressing these conditions.,Service connection is denied for right ear hearing loss, recurrent traumatic brain injury residuals, left ear hearing loss, recurrent cervical spine disability, recurrent lumbar spine disability, recurrent right knee disability, recurrent right ankle disability, recurrent left ankle disability, recurrent nasal disability, and recurrent gastrointestinal disability.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain, impingement syndrome and rotator cuff tendonitis are found to be service-connected. The lumbar spine disorder is denied as there is no current diagnosis prior to the filing of the claim. Other conditions such as painful scars, hand disorders, elbow disorders, knee disorders, traumatic brain injury, vertigo, cervical spine disorder, wrist disorders, arm disorders, hip disorders, shin disorders, ankle disorders, and foot disorders are also denied.

The Veteran's appeals for higher disability ratings for his neck and left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy were denied. The VA determined that the current assigned ratings are appropriate based on the findings of fact provided.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome in both left and right hands have been withdrawn by the Veteran. The Board has dismissed these appeals.

The Board has denied service connection for various knee, ankle, and shoulder disorders as the evidence does not show current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for rhinitis is granted, while the claims for sinusitis, myopia, cervical spine disability with arthritis, erectile dysfunction, left ankle sprain and Achilles tendon disability, left shoulder sprain, right shoulder sprain, pulled groin, left knee strain, right knee strain, bilateral plantar fasciitis, right ankle sprain and Achilles tendon disability, left carpal tunnel disability, right carpal tunnel disability, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (claimed as nerve damage), right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (claimed as nerve damage), left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (claimed as nerve damage), and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (claimed as nerve damage) are denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae is also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a cervical spine condition and a low back condition due to failure to substantially comply with an August 2022 remand.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected cervical spine disability was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical degenerative disc disease and lumbar intervertebral disc (lumbar strain) due to inadequate opinions regarding service connection, secondary aggravation by a service-connected right shoulder disability, and direct service connection.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis has been granted a 30% evaluation. The cervical and lumbar spine disorders, as well as the obstructive sleep apnea, are being remanded for further development. The compensable initial evaluation for folliculitis of the scalp, face, and neck is also being remanded. The SMC claim is part of the pending increased rating claims.