Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to February 4, 2020, for the award of increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities. The appeal is also remanded to obtain private treatment records from Dr. J.D.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral disorder and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, finding no evidence of these conditions during his military service or post-service. The Board concluded that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of back and neck disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and a neck disability must be remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The VA examiner is requested to provide an opinion regarding whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's diagnosed neck disability is related to his active service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 40% rating for lumbar spine disability is denied. The RO assigned the March 26, 2020 effective date based on receipt of his TDIU application, which was received in March 26, 2020.

The Veteran's tinnitus and neck disability are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's PTSD is granted with an initial rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran's cervical disorder, diagnosed as cervical spondylosis (cervical degenerative joint disease), mechanical cervical pain, foraminal stenosis/central stenosis, cervical sprain/strain, radiculopathy, and ankylosis of the cervical spine is granted.,The Veteran's major depressive disorder and PTSD are both granted.

The Veteran's neck disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability, and the initial rating for his right ankle disability is increased to 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased disability ratings due to a duty to assist error.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, neck, left knee, and right ankle disabilities due to a lack of current disability. The claim for migraine headaches is remanded for an addendum VA opinion regarding whether the condition clearly and unmistakably preexisted service.

The Veteran's TBI and other specified trauma disorder are being remanded for further evaluation.,The Veteran's increased rating claim for other specified trauma disorder is also being remanded.,Service connection for ulcerative pancolitis, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic anemia, skin disability (psoriasis), sleep apnea, cervical spine disability, right knee disability, left hip disability, and right lower extremity neuropathy are all being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.,The Veteran's service connection claims will be addressed based on his credible history of service in combat zones.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple conditions was dismissed due to failure to timely file a VA Form 10182 within the one-year deadline following the July 2023 rating decision.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a neck disability due to incomplete records and insufficient medical opinions. The AOJ will obtain additional evidence, including SSA records, and provide new VA examinations with supporting medical opinions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for headaches, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability. The Board dismissed these issues as a result.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied due to a lack of current diagnoses.,The Veteran has withdrawn her claims for right pretibial edema, hyperlipidemia, hypokalemia, an acquired psychiatric disorder, difficulty swallowing, and left eye cornea scarring.

The Veteran's back, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and neck disability are all granted as service-connected. The evidence supports the finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and relevant evidence received since the last rating decision. The claims will be reconsidered with additional medical records from non-VA providers.

The Veteran's cervical strain is currently rated at 10 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating.,There is no current diagnosis of radiculopathy of the left upper extremity. The Veteran's service-connected cervical strain did not result in this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's neck disability, diagnosed as cervical spine degenerative disc disease (DDD), on a direct basis. The decision is based on credible lay evidence of onset in service and continuity of symptoms.

The Veteran's neck disorder, diagnosed as cervical spinal stenosis, is related to his military service. However, the VA has not provided a VA examination to determine the etiology of this condition and thus remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for a temporomandibular disorder (TMD) and lumbosacral arthritis with stenosis, disc protrusion, and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), but denied service connection for cervical spine strain.,Service connection was established based on the Veteran's credible statements regarding his symptoms during military service.