Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require the care or assistance of another on a regular basis, and the Board has granted entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine due to conflicting evidence regarding its onset and etiology.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically major depressive disorder, has been granted. The Board found that the evidence is at least in approximate balance and supports a finding that his major depressive disorder is related to his active service and secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the appellant's claim for service connection for a gastroesophageal disability, to include eosinophilic esophagitis and GERD. The appeal regarding the neck disability is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for asthma, headaches, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability due to insufficient evidence regarding their service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an adequate VA examination regarding the Veteran's cervical strain. The Veteran is requested to undergo another VA examination to determine if his current cervical strain disability is related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hip, cervical spine, and lower back disabilities due to a fall injury during active duty. The VA will obtain medical opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's cervical spine strain with IVDS, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy, right shoulder strain with impingement syndrome, and left knee strain with patellofemoral pain syndrome and status post knee cartilage restoration surgery are all granted.,Service connection is established for these conditions based on their onset during active service.

The Veteran's right ankle fracture is granted a 10% rating, but no more. Service connection for IBS and sinusitis are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a cervical spine disability due to insufficient evidence and an inadequate medical opinion. The Veteran is entitled to service connection for allergic rhinitis.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for cervical spine disability and right upper extremity radiculopathy due to errors in duty to assist, including failing to address whether the Veteran's conditions are related to her service-connected lumbosacral strain. The VA will need to obtain additional medical opinions on these issues.

Service connection for a cervical spine disability is granted.,The appeal seeking service connection for tinnitus is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical degenerative disc disease and respiratory or lung condition (claimed as TB) due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and potentially obtain missing service treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and a compensable rating for various conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the denial of service connection for cervical spine injury and lumbar spine condition.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and cervical spine disability, finding that these conditions are related to his active duty service.,Both conditions were found to be directly related to injuries sustained during military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and that his current neck disability is not related to service.

The Veteran's cervical spine, right knee, and left knee conditions are now considered service-connected as of August 22, 2019. The effective date for these benefits is set to this date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder impingement syndrome and cervical condition are remanded due to a failure to provide an adequate medical opinion regarding causation.

The Veteran's back condition, neck condition, and right hip condition are all granted as service connected.,Reasoning: The evidence is in equipoise regarding the onset of these conditions during active duty.