Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the claims for lumbosacral and upper thoracic strain with degenerative disc disease and lower cervical strain due to lack of consideration of certain evidence, and requests further development including medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not support a higher disability rating for his bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, right lower sciatic nerve (sciatica), and cervical spine torticollis with degenerative disc disease and arthritis.

The appeal of the claim for a compensable disability rating for tension headaches is dismissed. The claim for an increased disability rating for service-connected cervical spine disability remains pending.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and migraines are granted as service connected. The right shoulder tendinosis is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for fungal condition, cervical spine condition, and migraine headaches are being remanded due to the need to verify his periods of active duty in the Army National Guard.

The Veteran's claim for cervical spinal fusion, neck scars, and loss of taste was granted with an effective date of November 11, 2016. The initial rating for the cervical spinal fusion (with neck resection surgery) status post squamous cell carcinoma, base of tongue remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations and a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's claims for residuals of TBI and headaches have been granted. The claim for neck disability is being remanded due to procedural errors.,Service connection has been established for the Veteran's residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and headaches, but his neck disability remains under review.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, radiculopathy affecting both lower extremities, bilateral plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, pseudo folliculitis, ankle disorders, shoulder disorder, cervical spine disorder, jock itch, adjustment disorder with anxiety, acid reflux, athlete's foot and toenail fungus, and epiphora. The Board found no current diagnoses for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches, but the remaining issues of service connection for a neck disability, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy, GERD, and allergic rhinitis are remanded.,Additional medical records from Kaiser Permanente must be obtained. The Veteran's neck condition and associated symptoms need to be evaluated by VA, as the current opinion is inadequate.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was incurred in service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective from January 1, 2012, as his service-connected disabilities precluded him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and degenerative arthritis and stenosis of the cervical spine, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increase in rating or service connection for any of the claimed conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for anxiety due to lack of a current psychiatric disability. The claims for neck and low back disabilities are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain was denied, and his claims for service connection for cervical spine disorder were granted. The decision also addressed the denial of service connection for dental issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were dismissed due to the proposed reductions of his existing ratings not being final decisions at the time he filed his Notice of Disagreement.

The Board has denied the appellant's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss due to a lack of evidence meeting the criteria for a current disability.,The appellant's appeals for sleep disorder and diabetes were dismissed as premature, as they were not adjudicated in the January 2023 rating decision.

The Board has found that the VA did not substantially comply with its August 2023 remand directives and thus requires additional development to obtain missing records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disorder and degenerative arthritis of the spine due to inadequate medical opinions in previous decisions. The case is now pending for further review.