Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2024

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches but has remanded the issue of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine due to insufficient medical opinions and exposure basis.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted with a July 23, 2018 effective date. The Board found that the evidence showed she had been continuously employed since January 2016 and her service-connected disabilities prevented her from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has denied service connection for right ankle, left ankle, and cervical spine conditions. The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal and urinary disabilities, including bladder disability secondary to PTSD. The cases are being sent back for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine and lower back conditions are not related to his active military service, and thus denied entitlement to service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck, right arm, left ankle, bilateral hip, and bilateral knee conditions due to insufficient medical opinions based on lack of in-service treatment records. The Veteran is advised to submit or identify any relevant evidence.

The Veteran's cervical radiculopathy of the LUE and lumbar radiculopathy of the RLE are granted service connection. Service connection for cervical radiculopathy of the RUE is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease, cervical spine and mid and lower thoracic spine were denied as the evidence did not show that the disabilities warranted a rating in excess of 20 percent or 40 percent respectively.

The Veteran's appeals for higher disability ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 as secondary to his service-connected nephrosclerosis. The issue of service connection for a cervical spine condition (neck condition) is remanded.

The Veteran's neck disability, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and CAD have been granted. The Veteran is assigned a 100 percent rating for his CAD from June 21, 2022, with an effective date of June 21, 2022.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck disability is related to his military service, and therefore grants service connection for a neck disability.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 70 percent effective January 6, 2021, based on VA treatment records indicating symptoms warranting a 70 percent evaluation. The Board found no evidence of an earlier increase in disability.,The Veteran's cervical spine condition was rated at 30 percent effective February 3, 2022, based on a VA examination showing symptoms warranting the increase. The Board found no indication of an earlier ascertainable worsening.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, left shoulder (non-dominant), and non-allergic rhinitis with throat irritation were denied. The claim for left knee instability was granted with an effective date of January 12, 2007.,The Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for non-allergic rhinitis with throat irritation was dismissed due to lack of timely appeal and no new relevant evidence received within the applicable period.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of November 24, 2020 for the Veteran's service connection claims for cervical spine degenerative arthritis, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy. The decision is based on the fact that the Veteran submitted a complete application within one year of his intent to file form.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left shoulder disabilities, cervical spine disability, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand, and major depressive disorder with PTSD caused a need for regular aid and attendance on a daily basis. The Board found that SMC based on this need was warranted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and neck disabilities due to incomplete medical records. The Veteran is asked to provide authorization for VA to obtain his civilian treatment records from Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indiana and private treatment records from Fall Creek Family Medicine.

The Board has identified errors in the VA examinations and remands the claims for cervical strain, bilateral knee pain, and GERD with irritable bowel syndrome. The Veteran's conditions are related to service but further examination is needed to determine if they were aggravated by other disabilities or due to non-service-connected factors.

The Veteran's right knee disability is denied as there is no current diagnosis. The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current cervical spine, lumbar spine, left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, or left upper extremity radiculopathy disability. Hypertension and an acquired psychological disorder are diagnosed but the Board cannot establish service connection due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability may be related to an in-service parachute accident, but further examination and opinion are needed to determine if it is caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.