Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for cervical strain (claimed as neck) under docket number 210227-142788 is dismissed.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have an acquired psychiatric disability, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied. The claims for cervical spine degenerative arthritis (claimed as residuals of neck injury) and residuals of a head injury are remanded due to insufficient consideration by the AOJ.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spondylosis and degenerative disc disease, left shoulder degenerative arthritis, right shoulder degenerative arthritis, left hip disability, and right hip disability due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine condition, right groin strain, obstructive sleep apnea, and sinusitis. The conditions are found to be aggravated by service-connected disabilities.,Service connection is established for these conditions as they arose during active service or are related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective May 24, 2015, based on her service-connected adjustment disorder with anxiety and other disabilities. The effective date for the TDIU was changed to March 2018 when she received a 70% rating.

The Board dismissed the appeal for bilateral knee strain, bilateral shoulder strain, lumbosacral strain, and cervical strain as the appellant requested a withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine with Intervertebral Disc Syndrome (IVDS) is being remanded due to inadequate examination findings. A new VA examination is required.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of a VA examination addressing the etiology of his claimed conditions, including left arm neuralgia and back issues. The Veteran contends these conditions are related to an in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine condition. The VA must provide an adequate medical opinion addressing whether the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service or any other relevant factors.

The Board has dismissed the issue of service connection for a right ankle disorder due to the Veteran's withdrawal. The remaining issues of service connection for cervical spine, left shoulder, thoracolumbar spine, and left leg disorders are remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for allergies, sinusitis, a bilateral eye disability, neck disability, and left-hand disability during the February 2024 Board hearing.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the proposed decreases in ratings for various conditions and the propriety of discontinuing SMC benefits. The Board dismissed these appeals as a result.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disorders, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and a right shoulder disorder. The left shoulder disorder claim is remanded for further consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for insomnia with fatigue (claimed as chronic fatigue syndrome) due to pre-decisional errors in fulfilling the duty to assist. The AOJ must obtain a medical nexus opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's insomnia and whether it is related to his military service, including his motor vehicle accident in service, service in Iraq, or toxic exposure risk activities (TERAs).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck disorder and left elbow disorder due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The VA will need to obtain updated medical opinions that consider the Veteran's lay statements about his symptoms.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck and back disabilities, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran was granted a 50% rating for migraine headaches and a 70% rating for right upper extremity radiculopathy effective July 20, 2022. Additionally, service connection for tinnitus rated at 10% and a 30% rating for cervical spine degenerative changes were granted effective July 20, 2022.,The Veteran was also granted an increased rating of 30% for his cervical spine degenerative changes and service connection for tinnitus rated at 10%. These benefits became effective on September 27, 2022.

The Veteran's eczema (folliculitis/infection) and sleep apnea syndromes (sleep disorder) are related to service, resulting in a grant of service connection for these conditions.,For the neck condition and knee conditions, the case is remanded as further medical examination and opinion are needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on remand have been denied due to lack of evidence supporting the claimed conditions.,An effective date prior to March 28, 2018, for PTSD and an increased rating for tonsillectomy are also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's thyroid and neck conditions are related to his service, granting service connection for both.