Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2024

The Board has denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder, finding that there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD, Hernia, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Cervical Spine Disability, Left Upper Extremity Radiculopathy (secondary to cervical spine disability), Right Upper Extremity Radiculopathy (secondary to cervical spine disability), Thoracolumbar Spine Disability, Left Lower Extremity Radiculopathy (secondary to thoracolumbar spine disability), Right Lower Extremity Radiculopathy (secondary to thoracolumbar spine disability), and Left Knee Disability (secondary to bilateral foot disabilities, pes planus) and Right Knee Disability (secondary to bilateral foot disabilities, pes planus).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with TBI and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU rating effective July 18, 2019. Service connection for esophageal cancer is remanded due to the PACT Act's expansion of presumptive conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates are dismissed as freestanding claims, and the increased rating claims have been remanded due to new evidence of worsening conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disorder, diagnosed as cervical spine degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease, on a presumptive basis due to continuity of symptomatology since service. The appeal is granted.

Your appeal has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The Board cannot issue a decision on your claims as they are no longer pending.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for post-concussion syndrome is denied, and his cervical spine condition service connection claim is remanded.

The Veteran's effective date for a 30 percent rating for migraine headaches is granted as of July 8, 2020.,Effective dates prior to October 26, 2020 are denied for increased ratings for cervical spine strain, right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, right elbow lateral epicondylitis, right leg varicose veins, and left leg varicose veins.

Service connection is granted for sciatica of the right and left lower extremities as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine disability. Service connection is denied for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and cervical spine disability are inextricably intertwined with the sciatica claims and will be remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various knee and spine disabilities due to a lack of VA examinations, which are necessary to determine if there is a link between the claimed conditions and active duty.

The Veteran has withdrawn all issues related to service connection and evaluations for various conditions, including hypertension, hip disabilities, knee disabilities, cervical spine DDD, migraines, and left leg radiculopathy. As a result, the Board dismisses these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to duty-to-assist errors, and the Veteran is required to undergo additional examinations and obtain medical opinions regarding her claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied as there was no pending claim prior to June 10, 2019.,The Veteran's right ankle sprain claim was denied due to the finality of a previous denial in July 2013.

The Board has granted the Veteran's appeal for recognition of his August 2, 1994, correspondence as a valid and timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) regarding the June 16, 1994, rating decision. The issues of service connection for various disabilities remain pending and must be remanded to allow for proper procedural development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right upper extremity and left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for cervical spine, right hip, left hip disabilities and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has readjudicated the claims for service connection for cervical spinal stenosis, anxiety, and hypertension due to new evidence presented since previous decisions. The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss remains remanded.,New evidence was submitted supporting the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine stenosis, anxiety, and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error, requiring VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted as service-connected, and a 20 percent rating for his lumbar spine disability remains unchanged.,The Veteran's cluster headaches and vertigo are remanded due to insufficient evidence on their connection to the lumbar spine disability.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and chronic headaches, as these issues are inextricably intertwined with each other.