Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and an earlier effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) are being remanded due to errors in the AOJ's decision process. The issues include scar, cervical spine disability, visual field defect, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for cervical and thoracolumbar spine conditions due to insufficient evidence regarding the nexus between service and these conditions. The VA examinations provided were inadequate, and additional records are needed.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical and lumbosacral strains, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to injuries sustained during his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple conditions are being remanded due to a failure to obtain private medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new and relevant evidence submitted, including testimony regarding an in-service injury. The claims are being remanded to obtain STRs and a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and dismissed the claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for the same disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding secondary service connection for cervical spine disabilities, and a new VA opinion is needed.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The service connection claim for a back disability as secondary to his bilateral knee disabilities is also remanded.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition, GERD, and hypertension are being remanded for further examination to determine their etiology and whether they are related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the issues of service connection for cervical spine, bilateral knee, left foot, and bilateral ankle disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions and outstanding records.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection of a chronic headache disability, neck disability, and increased rating greater than 20 percent for back disability. The Veteran was granted an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD with cannabis use disorder, effective April 14, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for new etiology opinions regarding whether the Veteran's cervical spine disability is related to service or caused by a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Veteran withdrew all appeals related to increased ratings, compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for dental and oral conditions, depression with social anxiety condition and sleep disturbances, and service connection for left and right leg radiculopathy and migraines.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities is related to his service-connected cervical strain and lumbosacral strain, but more opinions are needed to address whether these conditions were aggravated by those service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and did not readjudicate the claim of an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for cervical degenerative disc disease with neck strain due to lack of new and relevant evidence.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was rated at 10 percent prior to January 17, 2022 and at 20 percent thereafter. The Board found that the current ratings were not appropriate.,The evidence did not show forward flexion of the cervical spine less than 15 degrees or favorable ankylosis.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal concerning several service connection and rating issues, including for tension headaches, bilateral pes planus, plantar fasciitis, arthritis, cervical spine strain with degenerative disc disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, left ankle fracture, right ankle fracture, and thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease with spinal stenosis and intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, and service connection for a neck disability is granted. The appeal regarding the higher rating for the low back disability was denied.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than November 10, 2021 are granted. The Board has also remanded the claim of service connection for left long finger extensor tenosynovitis.