Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2024

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, and IVDS of the cervical spine, lumbosacral strain, and thoracic scoliosis. The Veteran's current disabilities are found to be related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for cervical strain and service connection for cervical spondylotic myelopathy status post facetectomy and fusion are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and cervical strain, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active service. The claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right and left knee disabilities, and a cervical spine disability due to inadequate opinions in the prior VA examinations. The AOJ is instructed to obtain private treatment records and arrange for new VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical and thoracolumbar spine conditions, as well as a right ankle condition. The claims are being remanded due to deficiencies in the prior VA examinations and lack of adequate medical evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus, degenerative joint disease, herniated nucleus pulposus, unspecified depressive disorder, cervical radiculopathies, and metatarsophalangeal joint fusion, render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran was previously granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, but the Board is now remanding the case to clarify whether he was enrolled in school full-time and obtain his complete VA vocational rehabilitation records.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's disability of the cervical spine, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's neck disability was rated at 10 percent prior to May 26, 2015 and denied a higher rating.,The Veteran's neck disability was rated at 20 percent from September 1, 2015 and denied a higher rating.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is found to be secondary to his service-connected lumbar strain, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for her neck disability, finding that there is competent medical evidence indicating it was incurred during her active service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including anxiety disorder, lumbosacral strain, cervical spine, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance. The Board has granted SMC based on this need.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating and TDIU have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection and rating for various conditions. The Veteran's cervical pain claim is denied as there is no current diagnosis or functional impairment. His PFB and tinea corporis are not rated higher than noncompensable due to the absence of characteristic lesions affecting less than 5% of his body.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's neck condition, including cervical strain, finding that reasonable doubt should be resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for cervical strain (claimed as upper back/neck condition) due to a duty to assist error and inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's lay history, including in-service neck injury, must be considered.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical strain is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his current condition began during active service or is related to an in-service injury.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic sinusitis is remanded due to inadequate opinion regarding whether his current condition had its onset during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service event, injury, or disease.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left shoulder strain is remanded due to inadequate opinion regarding whether his current condition is at least as likely as not (likely) related to an in-service event, injury, or disease.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for her neck disability is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to errors in obtaining relevant private treatment records and VA examinations. The Veteran's current disabilities of the shoulders and right knee are associated with an in-service motorcycle accident, but further evidence is needed to determine if these conditions were incurred or caused by that event.