Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded multiple claims due to the need for additional medical examinations and records, including those related to service connection and disability ratings.

The Veteran's right eye and hypertension disability claims have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability has been granted service connection, but his hypertension rating remains at 10 percent.,Service connection for OSA is granted based on evidence in relative equipoise regarding its onset during service.,Left knee and right shoulder disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion.,An initial compensable rating for insomnia is also remanded.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability may be secondary to his left shoulder or cervical spine disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for migraine headaches, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, right wrist disability, cervical spine disability, and low back disability have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show any current disabilities related to these conditions during his qualifying periods of active duty.,There is no credible evidence showing that the Veteran experienced any injuries or diseases related to these conditions during his service in the North Carolina National Guard.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling examinations. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection or increased ratings for various conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining medical opinions and verifying his National Guard service.

The appeal for sleep apnea and increased rating for left ulnar nerve neuropathy has been dismissed.,The right wrist disability, cervical spine disability, and GERD (hiatal hernia) claims have been reopened and are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, left foot achilles tendonitis, left foot plantar fasciitis, and right foot metatarsalgia due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their onset during service or relationship to service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied from November 27, 2012 due to his full-time employment at VA and the Department of the Navy. Despite having a combined disability rating of 80%, he maintained substantial gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's right wrist disability, specifically radial nerve peripheral neuropathy and cervical radiculopathy. The VA is required to obtain an addendum opinion from a neurologist to clarify these conditions.

The Veteran's cervical strain and lumbosacral strain have been granted service connection. Other conditions are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has dismissed all claims related to increased ratings and effective dates for various knee, back, and shoulder conditions due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum VA medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's cervical spine DDD produces symptoms functionally equivalent to unfavorable ankylosis of the cervical spine.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, right upper extremity radiculopathy, migraines, left upper extremity radiculopathy, left shoulder slap tear, degenerative arthritis of cervical spine, left knee disability, TBI, tinnitus, asthma, and erectile dysfunction, rendered him unable to obtain and/or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from obtaining and maintaining such employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II (DM II), bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the legs, bilateral arm radiculopathy, and cervical spine (neck) disability due to inadequate medical opinions. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for higher ratings due to conflicting range of motion measurements in previous examinations. New VA examinations are needed to determine the current severity of his low back, neck, and right knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disorders were incurred during or as a result of his military service, and thus granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's surviving spouse was awarded attorney fees based on the full amount of past-due benefits awarded in the May 2023 Rating Decision, rather than the actual amount paid.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on chronic headache disorder, adjustment disorder with disturbance of mood and anxiety, and cervical spine disc disease are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 10 percent, and his right upper extremity radiculopathy and left upper extremity radiculopathy are both rated at 30 percent. The appeals for higher ratings have been denied.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU from August 1, 2018 to September 9, 2019 due to his service-connected disabilities making him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.