Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2024

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of neck, left elbow, and right elbow disabilities due to a lack of current disability.,The VA examinations conducted in July 2021 did not reveal any current symptoms or diagnoses related to these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service. The decision also remanded several other issues.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative arthritis is rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The ratings for left and right upper extremity radiculopathy are denied prior to February 8, 2021, and for right lower extremity radiculopathy are denied after February 8, 2021.

The Veteran's initial rating for adjustment disorder was granted at 70 percent effective March 5, 2015. His TDIU claim was also granted effective May 19, 2014.

The Board has found errors in the original decision and has ordered further actions to correct these issues, including obtaining consent forms, medical records, and an addendum opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to duty-to-assist errors and requests an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, including whether it is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, with obesity as an intermediate step. The decision is based on medical opinions that link the Veteran's weight gain and subsequent OSA to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment during the appeal period, and therefore TDIU was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine disorder, migraine headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand, carpal tunnel syndrome of the left hand, right leg radiculopathy, and left leg radiculopathy. Service connection is denied for right hip disorder, left hip disorder, right foot disorder, and left foot disorder.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition is related to his active military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this disability.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal regarding the cervical spine disability, so the case is dismissed.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,An earlier effective date prior to January 29, 2018, for the assignment of a 50 percent disability rating for migraine headaches is denied.,The claim for service connection for cervical spine condition is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities. However, the right shoulder and right knee disability claims are remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, and the Board has dismissed all issues related to service connection for various disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, kidney disability, and several other disabilities are denied. The Board has remanded the remaining service connection claims.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities, a right knee disability, a cervical spine disability, and a lumbar spine disability. Service connection is denied for a left knee disability.

The Board has determined that the claims file is missing relevant medical evidence, including records from Dr. K.M., and therefore these claims are remanded for further action.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected neck disability and cervical radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities have been denied. The evidence does not support a finding that he is entitled to a rating in excess of 20 percent for any condition.

The appeal of the right wrist disorder claim is dismissed. The claims for cervical and/or lumbar spine disorder, diabetes mellitus Type II (DM II), respiratory/pulmonary disorder other than asthma and allergic rhinitis, cholecystectomy disease, and body joint pain are all granted.

Service connection is granted for cervical spine arthritis with IVDS and cervical radiculopathy as secondary to the service-connected cervical spine disability.,Service connection is denied for right carpal tunnel syndrome and left carpal tunnel syndrome.