Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for further development regarding whether the Veteran's current cervical spine/neck disability is related to service.

The Board has granted a higher rating of 60 percent for left upper extremity radiculopathy but has remanded the issue of increased rating for degenerative disc disease, cervical spine (post-ACDF).

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inconsistencies in the September 2020 VA examination report and a need for additional evidence, specifically an examination of the Veteran's cervical spine disorder.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claim for service connection for an upper back disability, to include a cervical spine disability and/or thoracic spine disability can be adjudicated. The case is REMANDED for a VA examination.

The Veteran's cervical spine disabilities, left and right upper extremity radiculopathies are granted service connection. His bilateral hearing loss is not shown to meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, and cervical spine disability due to procedural errors in previous decisions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and need for further examination regarding the Veteran's major depressive disorder, occupational functioning, and schizoaffective disorder diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions and consideration of lay contentions. The Veteran is scheduled for VA examinations to address his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder impingement with bursitis has been granted.,Service connection for radiculopathy of the left upper extremity secondary to service-connected left shoulder disability has also been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine osteoarthritis and cervical strain, but has remanded the issues of traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine and shoulders due to incomplete evaluations.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD has been denied. The issues of increased ratings for PTSD and cervical spine degenerative arthritis, as well as the TDIU claim, have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for sinus disability, left shoulder disability, and cervical spine (neck) disability due to additional development being necessary.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to procedural issues and the need for additional medical examinations. The claims will be reconsidered on their merits.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for gout and onychocryptosis of the left great toe are reopened, but service connection remains denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current disability meeting VA compensation criteria.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety and PTSD) is denied because the Veteran does not have a diagnosed psychiatric condition.,Service connection for sleep disturbances (including sleep apnea) is denied due to attribution of symptoms to obstructive sleep apnea, which was not incurred in or caused by service.,Service connection for painful joints, other than gout and a neck disability, is denied as the Veteran has not identified specific joints for which he seeks service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left and right knee disabilities, neck disability, and back disability due to inadequate medical opinions based on the absence of medical evidence. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain is granted a 40 percent disability rating prior to March 17, 2023. A higher than 40 percent rating is denied from that date forward. The Veteran's service-connected degenerative cervical spine spondylosis and disc space narrowing are granted a 30 percent disability rating prior to March 17, 2023. A higher than 30 percent rating is denied from that date forward.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, lumbar spine, and bilateral kidney disabilities due to incomplete records and need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral wrist disabilities, cervical spine disability, and left shoulder disability due to an undiagnosed illness. The reasons include a lack of in-service evidence and the need for addendum medical opinions considering the Veteran's allegations of rigorous activity during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine and low back disabilities, finding that a new VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are secondary to his service-connected common headaches, bilateral shoulder glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis, and/or bilateral flatfeet.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for tinnitus was dismissed because a grant of service connection had already been made in a previous decision. The issue of service connection for the cervical spine disability is remanded due to an inadequate VA examination.