Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2024

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a neck disability, including associated neurological impairments (including radiculopathy), due to inadequate examination and opinion. The case is returned for further evaluation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy. The evidence does not establish a relationship between these conditions and active service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical evidence to determine if service connection can be granted for the Veteran's claimed cervical strain condition.

The Board has granted an effective date of November 17, 2017, for the grants of service connection for PTSD, a cervical spine disability, and a lumbar spine disability. The decision is based on the receipt of a formal claim within one year of the intent to file.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that it is related to his active duty service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to his service-connected cervical spine degenerative joint disease.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's TBI is related to his military service and grants service connection for it. However, the Board has also determined that there is insufficient evidence to establish a diagnosis of PTSD since filing his claim or within close proximity thereto, thus denying service connection for PTSD. The remaining issues regarding thoracolumbar spine condition and cervical spine condition are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for neck disability, right shoulder disability, and left upper extremity radiculopathy due to duty-to-assist errors prior to the September 2020 rating decision on appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck and right knee disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to verify his Reserve service dates.

The Veteran's claims for cervical strain, degenerative arthritis, IVDS with bulging disc, and thoracic strain have been granted. The appeal of the issues related to right hip disorder, left hip disorder, right knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and an increased rating for GERD has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and a cervical spine condition, finding that new evidence supports these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grants because her service-connected conditions do not meet the eligibility criteria under VA regulations.

The Board has granted service connection for back, neck, left knee, and right knee disabilities as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service job duties and symptoms that have persisted post-service.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disability, head injury to include TBI, cervical spine disability, and sleep apnea as the evidence did not support a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for SMC A&A/HB is remanded due to the inadequacy of the medical evidence provided at the time of the initial decision. The Board requires an appropriate VA Aid and Attendance Examination to determine if her service-connected disabilities necessitate regular aid and attendance or result in housebound status.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative arthritis and right upper extremity radiculopathy have been granted increased evaluations of 30 percent each, but no higher.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of September 6, 2016 for service connection of cervicogenic headaches as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected cervical disc disease.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the right cervical lymph node from June 13, 2013 is being remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors and the need for further clarification regarding the status of his cancer.

The Board has remanded the claims for a new VA opinion to determine if the Veteran's current back and cervical spine disabilities are related to service, specifically whether they are due to aggravation of pre-existing conditions or onset during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and migraines, have rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since June 22, 2011. Effective as of April 30, 2019, she is entitled to a TDIU rating.