Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as radiculopathy in multiple extremities, are being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome claim is also being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, including carpal tunnel syndrome, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right and left shoulder strain disabilities.

The Veteran's initial ratings for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and peripheral neuropathy of the upper radicular group of the right upper extremity were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.,Initial compensable ratings were denied for peripheral neuropathy of the lower radicular group of the left upper extremity and middle radicular group of the left upper extremity.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple claims for service connection, including cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, headaches, ear, nose and throat (ENT) disability, hypertension, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities. The Board has determined that further development is needed to obtain relevant medical records and seek expert opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete STRs and SPRs from the Veteran's National Guard service, as well as a need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various gastrointestinal and spinal conditions are remanded due to incomplete records, lack of rationale in the examination reports, and other procedural errors.

The Board has remanded the claims for prostate condition, hypertension, chronic headaches, ED, GERD, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, skin condition (melanoma of neck and face), back disability, left ankle injury, right ankle disability, and right shoulder disability due to a duty to assist error.,The Veteran's service connection claims are remanded as the Board finds that VA examinations and medical opinions are required to determine whether these claimed disabilities are etiologically related to his active service or other service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's right inguinal hernia is granted service connection. The claims for left inguinal hernia, cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, and left shoulder disorder are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's migraines, cervical spine disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral foot disability have been granted service connection. The Veteran also received a TDIU effective March 27, 2018, and SMC at the housebound rate effective that date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and compensable evaluation have been denied. The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disability and migraines, as no medical opinion concerning whether the service-connected thoracolumbar spine disorder aggravated these conditions was provided. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal of his claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and a headache disorder has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of these claims.

The appeal as to entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine with right hand radiculopathy is dismissed. The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits are granted from December 25, 2006 to May 1, 2012.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for adjustment disorder is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's current psychiatric disability, specifically his unspecified chronic adjustment disorder, is proximately caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for cervical strain, dermatitis, and IBS were denied as the earliest possible effective dates are May 22, 2018, January 26, 2018, and January 26, 2018 respectively.,No rating assigned as no compensation was granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in a loss or loss of use of any lower extremity or upper extremity, and thus he does not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing.

The Board has granted service connection for an upper back condition, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his active military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a cervical spine condition has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, neck disability, back disability, and tinnitus have been denied. The Board has found that the evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.