Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to deficiencies in prior VA examinations and lack of consideration of all relevant medical data.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for cervical strain and lumbar disc herniation due to inadequate medical opinions in the May 2017 VA examinations.

The Board dismissed all issues of appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to December 30, 2013, for increased disability ratings of various service-connected conditions have been denied. The Board found no evidence that the Veteran initiated his claims before this date.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's high cholesterol is denied as it does not constitute a disability, but his cervical spine, left knee, hemorrhoids, headaches (claimed as migraines), and insomnia are being reviewed.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disorder and psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) due to incomplete STRs, lack of VA examination, and need for additional evidence. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is not service-connected, and the Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder as secondary to his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.,Increased ratings were granted for radiculopathy (sciatic nerve) right lower extremity and left lower extremity from December 7, 2018. The Veteran's femoral nerve radiculopathy was also increased in rating.

The Veteran's increased disability ratings for lumbar spine DDD and cervical spine DDD have been denied. The rating of 20% has been maintained.

The Veteran's service-connected deviated septum is linked to his obstructive sleep apnea. His cervical spine disability has been granted as service connected, and the Board finds that there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis for a higher rating on lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including as the result of exposure to asbestos, has been remanded.,Claims for lower back, neck, and bilateral knee and leg disorders have also been remanded. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left ankle strains, cervical spine strain, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, and bilateral pes planus have been denied as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence that these conditions began during service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for disorders of the right shoulder and cervical spine, finding that her conditions were not related to service or secondary to her service-connected TMJ.

The Board has remanded several claims for service connection due to the Veteran's military service, including injuries sustained while playing football. The appeals are pending based on the appellant's contention that these conditions are related to his service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and a TDIU was denied. The cervical spine disability is rated as 10 percent, 20 percent, and 30 percent from April 24, 2007 to May 2, 2017 respectively.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient examinations and need for additional development.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative joint disease and lumbar degenerative joint disease are denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to service.,The Veteran's chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and erectile dysfunction are denied as the conditions did not manifest within one year after service or are not related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and neck disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including arthritis in his hands and fingers, a psychiatric disorder, arthritis of his hips, cervical spine, left knee, wrists, and right knee. The issues of arthritis of the bilateral hips, cervical spine, left knee, and bilateral wrists have been remanded due to insufficient medical opinions. The issue of hypertension has also been remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head. The Board found that his service-connected disabilities did not contribute substantially or materially to his death, and he did not meet the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including secondary service connection for various conditions. The specific issues include sleep apnea, hypertension as secondary to lumbar-sacral strain, obesity, left knee condition associated with lumbar-sacral strain, right knee strain associated with lumbar-sacral strain, headaches, and erectile dysfunction.