Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to potential exposure to Agent Orange and other toxic substances during service. The Veteran's conditions are being reviewed in light of the PACT Act, which requires VA to provide a disability examination and medical nexus opinion when a veteran submits a compensation claim and has evidence of a disability and participation in a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA).

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to evaluate his cervical spine disability, including assessing flare-ups and functional loss.

The Veteran's neck disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected right shoulder disability, and the claim for headaches is also granted as secondary to his service-connected right shoulder disability. The increased rating claim remains pending.

The Board has denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and thoracolumbar spine as there is no evidence that these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical neck disability, finding that there is no credible evidence showing it began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury. The Board also found that the current cervical neck disability is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's IBS and pseudofolliculitis barbae are granted service connection. The cervical spine/neck disability, lumbar spine/low back disability, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity secondary to the lumbar spine are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative, and the Board is dismissing the case as a result.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate for remanding the claims of service connection for thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, bilateral knee disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities. Additional examination is needed to determine if these conditions were incurred in or caused by service.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA spine examination to determine if any current cervical spine disorders are related to service. The acquired psychiatric disorder and obstructive sleep apnea claims have been granted.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's disabilities, including right ankle disability, hip disabilities, cervical spine disability, migraine, and RLE radiculopathy. The case is returned for further consideration with the added evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his service-connected neck disability is denied. The case is remanded to determine the appropriate rating and service connection for headaches.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for bilateral hearing loss as he does not have a current diagnosis related to this condition. For his lumbar spine disorder and cervical spine disorder, additional VA examinations are needed to determine their current severity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and lack of medical opinions. The appeals are pending until further action is taken.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to new evidence being added to the claims file after a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) was issued. The Veteran and his representative have been notified that they need to respond within 45 days or else the appeal will be remanded to the AOJ for review.

The Veteran's flat feet disability, including pes planus and plantar fasciitis (flat feet), is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's back disability is granted as service-connected. The examiner noted that the in-service training did not cause or aggravate her current back condition.,The Veteran's depression is granted as service-connected based on in-service incidents.,The Veteran's left knee disability is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's right arm disability (including elbow and wrist disabilities) is remanded for further evaluation.,The Veteran's right ankle disability is remanded for further evaluation.,The Veteran's left ankle disability is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and an upper back (cervical spine) disability, finding that there was no persuasive evidence to support these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the claims for right shoulder, left shoulder, right knee, left knee, and hip disabilities due to insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran's representative raised a new theory of entitlement that his claimed disabilities are caused or aggravated by his service-connected back and neck disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an abscess is denied. The claims for service connection for a back disability, cervical spine disability, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded due to uncertainty regarding the Veteran's duty status during relevant periods of service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation for migraine headaches has been withdrawn. Service connection for PTSD and adjustment disorder, unspecified, is granted. The denial of a compensable initial disability rating for IgA nephropathy with hypertension remains unchanged. Bilateral plantar fasciitis and cervical spine disability are both remanded for further review.,The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral plantar fasciitis has been remanded due to unclear findings from the July 2018 VA examination regarding the right foot condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches secondary to his cervical spine disability is granted. Other issues are remanded, and the effective date of TDIU is set prior to February 23, 2018.