Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right ankle disability, hypertension, low back disability, neck disability, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and right knee patellofemoral syndrome. The Veteran's claims were based on direct evidence of a current condition related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder and right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to the service-connected cervical spine disorder.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability and dismissed the appeal regarding a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to December 29, 2022 as moot. The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s)(1) was also denied.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and obstructive sleep apnea to ensure that there is a complete record upon which to decide the Veteran's claim and to afford him every possible consideration.

The Board has determined that the VA examination in connection with the Veteran's cervical spine disorder claim is inadequate and remanded for a new examination. The Veteran's service-connected right and left total knee arthroplasties are not considered to have caused his cervical spine disorders, but further evaluation by a VA examiner is needed to determine if any other conditions or disabilities may be related to his military service.

The Veteran's back, neck, and radicular symptoms have worsened since his last VA examinations. The AOJ must schedule new examinations to determine the current severity of his disabilities and readjudicate the issues on appeal.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim prior to November 13, 2015 for consideration of an extraschedular rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b). The SMC based on housebound status is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete information about the Veteran's service and need for additional medical opinions. The claim will be reconsidered with new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not shown to preclude her from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and therefore the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess current symptomatology and etiology.

The Veteran's low back disability, neck disability, and bilateral calf muscle pain have been granted service connection.,Obstructive sleep apnea has also been granted secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depression, left upper extremity radiculopathy, cervical spine condition, tinnitus, scar with puncture wound residuals, and obstructive sleep apnea, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The case is being remanded for referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has found that there was not substantial compliance with its prior remand directives and has ordered further development to ensure a complete record upon which to decide the Veteran's claims for service connection of lumbar spine, cervical spine, and scalp scar disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to lack of compliance with examination requirements, need for new evidence, and need for further medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the July 2021 and December 2021 remand instructions were not substantially complied with, necessitating a new examination to address whether the Veteran's neck disability is related to his service-connected TMJ.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his tension headaches was granted, with a 30 percent rating effective October 1, 2014. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine disability, sleep apnea, and muscle pain (hamstring injury). The claims for these conditions are based on direct service connection rather than secondary or aggravation of a pre-existing condition. However, the appeal is remanded for further development regarding the remaining issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for updated VA medical records, new examinations, and additional development regarding his reported stressors. The PACT Act requires a VA examination and opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's disabilities and in-service toxic exposures.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left and right shoulder disabilities, neck disability (claimed as thoracic outlet syndrome), asthma, dystonic jerks/tremors, Horner's syndrome, phrenic nerve palsy, vasospasms, recurrent neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome/complex regional pain syndrome/recurrent pectoris minor syndrome, muscle tension dysphagia, and occipital migraines have been dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lower back, neck, left knee, tinnitus, and sleep-related disabilities due to non-compliance with prior remand directives.