Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is granted as service connected, as it manifested within one year of separation from active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability began during his active service and is related to neck pain he experienced in service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder and cervical spine disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions provided in March 2024. The claims are being returned for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an addendum opinion.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to clarify the Veteran's diagnoses and determine if his disabilities are related to service. The appeal will be remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases due to deficiencies in obtaining VA medical records and additional community care facility records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for recurrent cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities are remanded due to the absence of a VA examination addressing these conditions.,Service connection is denied for right ear hearing loss, recurrent traumatic brain injury residuals, left ear hearing loss, recurrent cervical spine disability, recurrent lumbar spine disability, recurrent right knee disability, recurrent right ankle disability, recurrent left ankle disability, recurrent nasal disability, and recurrent gastrointestinal disability.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain, impingement syndrome and rotator cuff tendonitis are found to be service-connected. The lumbar spine disorder is denied as there is no current diagnosis prior to the filing of the claim. Other conditions such as painful scars, hand disorders, elbow disorders, knee disorders, traumatic brain injury, vertigo, cervical spine disorder, wrist disorders, arm disorders, hip disorders, shin disorders, ankle disorders, and foot disorders are also denied.

The Veteran's appeals for higher disability ratings for his neck and left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy were denied. The VA determined that the current assigned ratings are appropriate based on the findings of fact provided.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome in both left and right hands have been withdrawn by the Veteran. The Board has dismissed these appeals.

The Board has denied service connection for various knee, ankle, and shoulder disorders as the evidence does not show current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for rhinitis is granted, while the claims for sinusitis, myopia, cervical spine disability with arthritis, erectile dysfunction, left ankle sprain and Achilles tendon disability, left shoulder sprain, right shoulder sprain, pulled groin, left knee strain, right knee strain, bilateral plantar fasciitis, right ankle sprain and Achilles tendon disability, left carpal tunnel disability, right carpal tunnel disability, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (claimed as nerve damage), right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (claimed as nerve damage), left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (claimed as nerve damage), and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (claimed as nerve damage) are denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae is also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a cervical spine condition and a low back condition due to failure to substantially comply with an August 2022 remand.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected cervical spine disability was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical degenerative disc disease and lumbar intervertebral disc (lumbar strain) due to inadequate opinions regarding service connection, secondary aggravation by a service-connected right shoulder disability, and direct service connection.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis has been granted a 30% evaluation. The cervical and lumbar spine disorders, as well as the obstructive sleep apnea, are being remanded for further development. The compensable initial evaluation for folliculitis of the scalp, face, and neck is also being remanded. The SMC claim is part of the pending increased rating claims.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the reduction in rating for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, so this issue is dismissed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, requiring an addendum opinion on whether the Veteran's current cervical spine disability is related to service or his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including OSA, dry skin, hypertension, neck disability, right and left upper extremity nerve damage, right long finger disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, erectile dysfunction, right knee disability, left knee disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, right foot plantar fasciitis, and left foot plantar fasciitis. The Board found no evidence of current diagnoses or treatment for these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities. The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is not readjudicated due to lack of new and relevant evidence since a February 2019 rating decision. The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for thoracolumbar spine disability, as VA did not consider whether preexisting lumbar spine issues were aggravated by service or if the current condition is related to service.

The Board has denied service connection for hearing loss, right shoulder disorder, and left hand disorder. The claims of service connection for plantar fasciitis, cervical disorder, right ear disorder, jaw disorder, and bilateral hand wart disorder are being remanded.,The Veteran's assertions regarding the onset and etiology of his claimed conditions have been considered.