Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease with anterior cervical fusion residuals, finding that the condition originated during active service.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted based on her service-connected migraines. The combined rating of all service-connected disabilities is at least 60%, meeting the criteria for SMC housebound.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his bilateral wrist, hand, knee, and cervical spine disabilities. The VA is required to provide a VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to active service.

The Board has determined that the January 2021 decision on appeal is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error, specifically regarding the adequacy of the medical opinion provided by the VA examiner. The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches, as secondary to his service-connected cervical strain and related conditions, requires further clarification from an appropriate medical professional.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the bilateral knees, cervical strain, and lumbosacral strain, finding that these conditions are related to active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of spinal stenosis and strain of the cervical spine was granted with an effective date of February 3, 2021. The Board denied a request for an earlier effective date as there was no prior submission of a formal or informal service connection claim.

The Board denied service connection for type II diabetes mellitus, LLE radiculopathy, RLE radiculopathy, cervical spine arthritis, and right hip arthritis. The Veteran's claims were based on his assertions of exposure to herbicides in Korea and equipment handling in Vietnam, but the evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disability. The claim will be reviewed again with new evidence and an examination.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for various conditions due to the Veteran's death during the appeal process.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is being remanded due to outstanding private treatment records from her primary care provider and chiropractor.

The Board has granted effective dates of February 21, 2020 for the service connection of various conditions including left quad tendon tear, major depressive disorder, intervertebral disc syndrome with spinal stenosis, thoracolumbar spine, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, tinnitus, surgical scar, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine status post C5-C7 ACDF with residual IVDS, radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, and residual neck scar. The effective dates are based on the Veteran's timely filed claims within one year of his intent to file.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective October 3, 2017. He was unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for anxiety, a cervical spine condition, depression, a lumbar spine condition, and migraine headaches due to inadequate VA examinations and failure to consider the Veteran's lay testimony regarding in-service injuries.

The Veteran's chronic headaches, cervical spine disability (neck), left upper extremity radiculopathy and paresthesia, left knee disability, and right knee disability are all found to have onset during service. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating due to insufficient evidence, including conflicting medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for additional examinations. The issues include headaches, cervical spine disability, peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, and TDIU.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of various shoulder and cervical spine conditions as they have been granted within a prior rating decision.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder. Service connection is remanded for GERD with esophagitis and hiatal hernia, and insomnia.

The Board has granted service connection for rhinitis and sinusitis, low back stiffness, left hip condition, neck injury, and bilateral knee disability. The evidence is nearly balanced as to whether these conditions had their onset during the Veteran's active duty.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The AOJ is instructed to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected bilateral knee disorders, and to consider referral for extraschedular TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).