Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, as there were pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The Veteran's claims for service connection are not granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, lumbar spine, and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy disabilities due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The AOJ must schedule the Veteran for VA examinations and obtain etiology opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance (SMC A&A) due to a lack of evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities rendered him so nearly helpless as to require regular aid and attendance from another person.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions. The Board found that a higher rating is warranted for bilateral hearing loss, but denied earlier effective dates for service connection of tinnitus and BHL.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck disability is related to his active-duty service and has granted entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's cervical spine condition. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his current cervical spine disability, which he claims was incurred during active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion and a failure to consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding his neck pain.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple conditions are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and duty-to-assist errors.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder and cervical spine, finding that there is no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's neck disability, finding that her condition did not meet criteria for higher ratings based on ankylosis or incapacitating episodes. A temporary total rating for convalescence was granted for three months following her November 5, 2021 surgery.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine, right shoulder, left shoulder, right wrist, left wrist, right hip, left hip, right knee, and left knee disabilities. The Veteran's claims for service connection for libido disorder and PTSD were also denied.,There was no evidence of a verified stressor event for the Veteran's PTSD claim.

The reduction of the disability rating for lumbosacral strain with myofascial pain syndrome was not proper, and a 20 percent rating is restored. The issue of service connection for cervical degenerative disc disease with radiculopathy (claimed as neck pain) requires further examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and a duty-to-assist error, requiring an addendum opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's cervical strain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical strain and an acquired psychiatric disorder (other specified trauma-and stressor disorder) due to insufficient evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error, and will require VA medical examinations to assess the nature and etiology of his back condition, neck condition, and psychiatric disorder.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 20 percent rating for cervical spine degenerative arthritis and strain (neck disability) effective February 1, 2022. The appeal regarding a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied.

Service connection for allergic rhinitis is granted due to presumed exposure to burn pits. Service connection for right and left ear hearing loss, chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, skin rash (claimed as a skin disorder), bilateral hand disorder, bilateral hip disorder, bilateral leg disorder, neck disorder (cervicalgia), chronic pain disorder, upper respiratory infection, and bronchitis is denied due to lack of evidence of current disability or service connection.

The Board has denied service connection for headaches and remanded the claim of cervical spine disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, requiring an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cervical strain.

The Board has granted service connection for spinal fusion with cervical IVDS and headaches, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service injuries.,Service connection was established based on continuity of symptomatology since service.