Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for service connection for contact dermatitis and TDIU was granted. The claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is being remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and radiculopathies of the femoral and sciatic nerves of bilateral lower extremities. The Veteran's headaches are also found to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for right knee, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities as well as a cervical spine disability due to inadequate reasons and bases in the previous decisions. The Veteran's statements regarding service connection will be considered during the examination process.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a cervical spine disability and headaches due to the need for additional evidence and medical opinions.

The Board has determined that there are errors in the decision regarding service connection for various orthopedic conditions and hypothyroidism, necessitating a remand to obtain further medical opinions and diagnostic testing.

The Veteran's cervical scar is not manifest by at least one characteristic of disfigurement and is not painful or unstable, thus the claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected cervical scar is denied.

The Veteran's cervical scar is not manifest by at least one characteristic of disfigurement and is not painful or unstable, thus the claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected cervical scar is denied.

The appeal regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, spina bifida, and right leg disabilities is dismissed because they are already pending final adjudication on appeal to the Board. The appeal regarding his claim for bilateral shoulder disability is also dismissed as it constitutes an improper concurrent election with a previously pending HLR request.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, left upper extremity radiculopathy (claimed as a left hand/finger disability), and headaches are granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected left shoulder disability. A compensable rating of 10 percent is assigned for the left shoulder scar.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The Board finds that additional medical examinations are required to address the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.,The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The Board finds that additional medical examinations are required to address the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating for cervical strain and for total disability due to individual unemployability have been dismissed because the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, cervical spine disorder, hypertension, and insomnia are denied. The claim of service connection for bilateral tinnitus is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder acromioclavicular joint arthritis and impingement syndrome, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, and left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy. Service connection was denied for migraine headaches.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for low back and cervical spine disabilities due to worsening symptoms. The claim is being remanded because a VA examination was not conducted that addressed whether the Veteran's symptoms are equivalent to functional ankylosis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors in the initial decision and subsequent supplemental claim decisions. The VA examinations were inadequate, and further medical development is required.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to June 15, 2021 is dismissed as moot because the issue has been fully granted with an effective date of February 27, 2015.

The Board has determined that there were errors in the original decision and has ordered further action to correct these issues before making a final determination on compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for removal of cervical vertebrae and removal of sternum.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's neck disability and a failure to obtain relevant private medical records. The Veteran is seeking service connection for her neck/upper back disability, which she claims began during her military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for athlete's foot, back disability, neck disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, bilateral foot disability, bilateral hearing loss, and obstructive sleep apnea due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has remanded two issues related to the Veteran's lumbosacral facet arthritis with thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine prior to October 22, 2008. The remand requires obtaining a retrospective medical opinion that substantially complies with the April 2022 Board remand instructions.