Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, in combination, precluded her from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment since June 8, 2019.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate medical opinion in a previous decision. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability is being sent back for further development and consideration.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for tinnitus, cervical spine strain, lumbar strain and DDD, LLE radiculopathy, LUE radiculopathy, residuals of a chest contusion, and chronic fatigue syndrome. The effective dates for these awards are being reconsidered.

The Veteran's cervical myositis and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with bulging disc are currently rated at 30 percent and 40 percent, respectively. The initial 10 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy from July 16, 2013 to June 13, 2023 is granted. From June 14, 2023 onwards, the Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 20 percent. The case is REMANDED for further development regarding left lower extremity radiculopathy and TDIU.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was granted a 30 percent rating prior to April 4, 2023 and denied any higher rating. From April 4, 2023, the Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating than 30 percent. The Board also granted entitlement to TDIU from January 1, 2019.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for recognition of his children, S. and L., as helpless children due to permanent incapacity for self-support prior to attaining age 18, based on insufficient evidence showing they were incapable of self-support at that time.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is granted from April 30, 2014 to April 8, 2020. The other issues are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations. The Veteran asserts his conditions are related to incidents during service, including a fall from a tank while removing a canvas cover.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete development and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, including strain and degenerative arthritis, is granted as service-connected. Secondary service connection for cervical radiculopathy is also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical strain and right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, finding that these conditions began during active duty service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a cervical (neck) disorder and a right foot disorder due to conflicting medical opinions and inconsistencies in the Veteran's statements regarding these conditions. The claims are being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 40 percent disabling from October 3, 2011, to January 23, 2016. His neck disability was previously rated as 20 percent disabling from October 3, 2011, to March 10, 2017, and 30 percent thereafter.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for a cervical spine disability and myofascial pain syndrome are remanded due to incomplete military records. The specific nature of her service-connected disabilities remains under consideration.

The Veteran's cervical strain, lumbosacral strain, and degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine are found to have started during service and continue to present. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board found no direct evidence linking the appellant's current cervical spine disorder to his in-service injury, and thus denied service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disability, including private treatment records and a VA examination that did not adequately address the Veteran's claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence received after a prior rating determination. The Veteran is to be afforded VA examinations to determine the etiology of any current right carpal tunnel syndrome, low back disorder, cervical spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, skin disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for various disabilities, including right and left knee conditions, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and a thumb condition. The decision is based on new evidence provided by the Veteran that raises reasonable doubt about whether these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions. The Board is seeking more information on the severity of her lumbosacral strain, the nature of her cervical spine condition, and whether her bilateral ankle and shoulder conditions are related to service or secondary to other disabilities.