Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disability, specifically whether it began during service or within one year after discharge.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine DDD and associated radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities did not render him unemployable prior to December 19, 2017. The combined rating was 50 percent from that date to December 18, 2017.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted a 30% rating, effective September 1, 2011. The right upper extremity radiculopathy is granted a 50% rating, effective June 27, 2015. The left upper extremity radiculopathy is granted a 40% rating, effective June 27, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disorders due to inadequate examination opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and etiology of the Veteran's cervical disc disease with arthritis, specifically his National Guard service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to conflicting medical evidence regarding his cervical spine disability. A new VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any cervical spine disability, including whether it is related to an in-service injury or aggravated by a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's myofascial strain of the cervical spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and a remand is ordered to schedule a new VA examination to assess its current severity.

The Board has determined that remand is necessary for proper development of the issues, including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's service connection claims for sarcoidosis, cervical spine disorder, and various other conditions have been reopened. The Board finds that the evidence supports a link between these conditions and the Veteran's active service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to insufficient evidence and potential inextricably intertwined issues.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability is found to have caused or aggravated his bowel/bladder disability, and he is granted a TDIU from July 11, 2013. The cervical spine and lumbar spine claims are remanded for additional examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a cervical spine disorder, which he claims is related to an in-service motor vehicle accident or secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The VA examiner found the cervical spine disorder less likely than not related to service and did not address the theory of secondary service connection. The Board finds this opinion inadequate and remands for an addendum opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity should be remanded for further development as there are conflicting medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for chronic cervical sprain, cervicogenic headaches, lumbar sprain with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), right lower leg sciatic radulopathy, and PTSD were denied earlier than the dates they were received.,An effective date earlier than August 25, 2008, was not granted for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's left knee condition is rated as 10 percent disabling, and his cervical spine condition is rated as 10 percent disabling. Both conditions are remanded for further review.,Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee and obstructive sleep apnea is also remanded.

The Board granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and granted increased ratings for residuals of a fracture to the right olecranon, impairment of supination and/or pronation of the right forearm, L1 compression fracture with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, left lower extremity radiculopathy of sciatic nerve, and right lower extremity radiculopathy of sciatic nerve. The Board also remanded for further development on service connection for dental or mouth injuries due to trauma.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of cervical spine disability, back disability, and scoliosis were dismissed as he only appealed his claim for an increased rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disability, unsteady gait, and abnormalities in mood and affect (unspecified depressive disorder) due to TBI or as secondary to his service-connected headaches disability. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's headaches are found to be related to his service-connected cervical spine disability, and he is granted service connection for this secondary condition. The rating for the cervical spine disability remains at 10 percent.