Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative joint disease (DJD) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine DJD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for arthritis of the left elbow, right elbow, left thumb, right thumb, cervical spine, and lumbar spine as well as seasonal allergic rhinitis due to potential CBRNE exposure during service. The Veteran will be provided with VA examinations to evaluate his claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in a previous VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist. The Veteran's cervical spine condition is still pending.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's claimed neck disability, which may be related to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated examinations and assess the severity of his gunshot wound residuals, including a scar on his neck, as well as any other identified disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is service-connected due to his military service as a paratrooper, and the opinion of Dr. Sandhu supports this determination.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent prior to January 25, 2017, and denied for a higher rating. From January 25, 2017, the disability remains rated at 40 percent.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the cause of the Veteran's claimed cervical spine disability, and thus the case is being remanded for a new examination with a different examiner.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a cervical spine injury, and a brain injury. The effective dates for certain radiculopathy diagnoses are also being reviewed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his major depressive disorder and spinal conditions, rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment as of December 21, 2016.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to insufficient opinions regarding workplace limitations and functional impairment of service-connected conditions since 2008.

The Board dismissed all appeals due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder disability, neck disability, and headache disability. The claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's cervical strain/neck pain is being remanded for an addendum opinion to address the etiology of his condition, including whether it is related to service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's right foot hallux rigidus and plantar fasciitis are also being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's cervical spine injury is not related to his military service.,There is no evidence that the Veteran’s sleep apnea began in or is related to his active duty service.,The preponderance of the evidence does not demonstrate a link between the Veteran’s heart disease and his service-connected psychiatric disorder.,The Veteran's stomach problems, also claimed as ulcers, did not begin during service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or illness.,There is no current diagnosis of right ear scars due to a head injury. The claim must be denied.,Residuals of the head injury do not have a link to service and were not caused by it.,The Veteran's migraines are not related to his residuals of a head injury.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbosacral strain and cervical spine disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a causal relationship between these conditions and his active military service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is not related to his military service and is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's right leg meralgia paresthetica is not related to his military service and is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is less likely than not related to his service-connected disabilities, specifically diabetes and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).,The Veteran's headaches are not related to his shell fragment wound in his neck.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder was not incurred in service, is not secondary to a service-connected disability, and does not have a direct relationship with service. The preponderance of evidence supports this conclusion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine strain, right wrist strain, left knee disability, left ankle disability, and traumatic brain injury (TBI) as well as his claim for a TDIU prior to August 13, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) prior to January 12, 2017 was denied. A rating of 60 percent for CAD from January 12, 2017 is granted and the case is remanded for further development regarding cervical spine disability and vestibular disorder.