Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck disability is related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's initial ratings for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, left knee degenerative arthritis, and right knee degenerative arthritis were denied. The Board also found that the Veteran did not meet criteria for a separate rating for right upper extremity radiculopathy due to inadequate examination findings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, left knee, and right knee conditions due to potential errors in obtaining pertinent medical records and inadequate opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of service connection for a neck disability should be remanded due to inadequate medical evidence and duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back and cervical conditions due to inadequate VA medical opinions that did not consider the Veteran's lay statements.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted as the evidence shows that his current condition likely began during service. However, his claims for bilateral hearing loss, traumatic brain injury, sleep apnea, and cervical degenerative disc and joint disease are denied due to lack of a current disability diagnosis.,There is no current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss or traumatic brain injury related to service. The Veteran's claim for sleep apnea is also denied as there is insufficient evidence of a current disability. Service connection for cervical degenerative disc and joint disease (claimed as cervical strain) is not granted due to lack of a current condition.,The Veteran's tinnitus claim is supported by his credible statements about the onset and impact of the condition during service, but he does not have a confirmed diagnosis of hearing loss or traumatic brain injury. The Board finds no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's initial ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and cervical spine have been granted, but the case is remanded due to issues with his left upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection, with the Board finding that there is at least as much evidence to support these conditions being related to his military service. The Veteran's headaches, left elbow disability, left wrist disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, left knee disability, cervical spine disability, and lumbosacral spine disability have been remanded for further review.,The Board has found that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to his military service. The Veteran's headaches, left elbow disability, left wrist disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, left knee disability, cervical spine disability, and lumbosacral spine disability have been remanded for further review.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and DDD of the lumbar spine, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to military service. Service connection was denied for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an increased rating for myasthenia gravis and denied service connection for right ankle and foot disabilities. Service connection was granted for cervical spine stenosis, DDD, and DJD.

The Veteran withdrew all claims for service connection, including those related to cervical condition (neck), left shoulder degenerative arthritis with rotator cuff tendonitis, and peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity. The Board dismissed these issues as a result of the withdrawal.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for cervical spine intervertebral disc disease, lumbar strain with spondylolisthesis, and migraine headaches. The Veteran's current disabilities are found to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck condition and vertigo due to conflicting medical opinions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which are currently service-connected but denied on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's neck and back conditions, finding that these conditions began during her active duty in June 1996.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

Service connection for a gallbladder condition is granted.,Service connection for a right shoulder strain is denied. The claim is being remanded to determine the cause of the cervical strain.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings in multiple conditions have been dismissed due to their death during the appeal process.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 5, 2021, for the grant of service connection for sinusitis with rhinitis is granted. The Board has also remanded his claim for a cervical spine disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether his current condition is causally related to his active duty. The Board resolved all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.