Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's initial ratings for cervical and lumbosacral spine disabilities were denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for inguinal hernia and lumbosacral or cervical strain due to a lack of an adequate examination in the March 2018 VA examination.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for cervical strain and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) were denied. The claims of entitlement to service connection for lower lip pain are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back and cervical spine disabilities. However, it has also remanded the issue of service connection or entitlement to a separate compensable evaluation for a psychiatric disability that is related to his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been readjudicated due to new evidence. The claims for liver disease, coronary artery disease, and cervical spine degenerative arthritis are being remanded.,The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the evidence does not show that his current hearing loss disability was incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an addendum opinion addressing the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disorder, which may be related to service.

The Board has determined that the severance of service connection for back and neck disabilities was improper, as well as the severance of service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity radiculopathy. The appeal is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for upper back disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, and disabilities manifesting in both arms due to a lack of current disabilities related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and a neck disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected neck disability. Service connection for a right shoulder disability is also granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea was dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing their appeal. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for neck disability, right shoulder disability, and left shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for prostate disability, hypertension (HTN), acquired psychiatric disorder, right shoulder and hip disabilities, hepatitis C, bilateral pes planus, left shin splint, left hip disability, right shin splint, neck disability, right knee disability, and bilateral plantar fasciitis due to pre-decisional errors in the development process.

The Veteran's headaches are related to her service-connected cervical spine strain, and the Board has granted service connection for these symptoms.

The Veteran's cervical strain with degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis is rated at a separate 30 percent for left upper extremity radiculopathy, while the primary condition remains at 20 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, which has been granted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, obstructive sleep apnea, and various joint and ankle disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of PTSD, anxiety, depression, a disability manifested by chronic sleep impairment, and TDIU. The hearing loss claim is denied as it does not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's left ankle disability was granted service connection in a July 2020 rating decision. The appeal for this issue is dismissed.,Service connection for jaw, erectile dysfunction, cervical spine/neck, and right foot disabilities is denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of a thoracolumbar spine condition and a cervical spine condition secondary to a thoracolumbar spine condition as there is no longer an issue due to previous grants of service connection.

The Board has determined that an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for a neck disability is not warranted, as it was received on December 7, 2020. The claim for a higher initial rating for the neck disability is remanded due to inadequate examination findings.