Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the decision on appeal is legally inadequate due to insufficient notification and an inadequately supported medical opinion. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability and denied service connection for headaches, cervical spine disability, low back disability, right knee disability, and psychiatric disability (PTSD).

The Veteran's service connection for a cervical spine disability is granted from March 13, 2023. The claim was reopened on new evidence submitted after the initial denial in April 1988. However, his request for a higher rating remains denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's cervical spine disability is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical injury/condition, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right ankle ligament sprain, and sleep disorder (sleep apnea).,Service connection is also granted for the Veteran's sleep disorder, diagnosed as chronic sleep impairment and sleep apnea.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his physical and mental conditions do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and right upper extremity radiculopathy were denied increased evaluations. The TDIU claim was also denied prior to August 20, 2013.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for right and left carpal tunnel syndrome. The Board also granted the Veteran's requests to readjudicate claims for service connection for residuals of a TBI, migraine headaches, and a neck disability.

The Board has granted readjudication of the claims for service connection for lumbosacral and cervical disabilities, as well as left hand and finger numbness. The claims are remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran's current cervical spine disability is related to service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including failing to consider the appellant's lay statements regarding her cervical spine disability and receiving a VA medical opinion that did not address these factors. The claim will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia and cervical strain (neck strain with muscle spasm) as secondary to the appellant's service-connected lumbar spine disability. The rating for the lumbar spine disability remains at 10 percent.

The Board denied all claims for earlier effective dates, finding that the earliest possible effective date for service connection is April 11, 2019.

The Veteran's lower back pain and neck condition are granted as service-connected, with the Board finding that his current conditions were caused by his military service.

The Board dismissed the appeal for obstructive sleep apnea due to a procedural issue, and remanded the cervical spinal stenosis claim.

The Veteran's TDIU from April 1, 2020 is denied as the evidence does not show that his service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting evidence regarding whether the Veteran needs aid and attendance or is housebound due to his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran will be given an opportunity for a VA examination, and any relevant SSA records must also be obtained.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical dystonia, finding that there was no evidence of a direct relationship between his current condition and his active-duty service.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed dysfunction of the cervical and thoracic spine is related to an injury she sustained during a period of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) in November 1990. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are granted service connection. The cervical spine, spine, CFS, fibromyalgia, and a disability manifested by symptoms including tachycardia, severe fatigue, feeling of weakness all over, muscle twitching, scalp tingling, dizziness, vertigo, memory problems, syncope, and headaches have not been established as service-connected.