Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining service personnel records, treatment records, verification of stressors, and examinations to determine if current disabilities are related to service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for carpal tunnel, right hand and service connection for a back injury disability and nerve damage as secondary to a back injury disability.

The Veteran's claims for multiple myeloma, neck disability, low back disability, and skin cancer have been granted on the basis of service connection due to herbicide exposure under the Blue Water Navy Act.,Service connection is established for multiple myeloma as a result of herbicide exposure during active duty. The claim was reopened based on new evidence showing the Veteran's neck disability may be related to his multiple myeloma.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for thoracolumbar and cervical spine disorders due to incomplete records, inadequate medical opinions, and need for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder, chronic cervicogenic tension related headaches, compression fracture T7, right knee degenerative joint disease, cervical strain, tinnitus, and left knee patellofemoral syndrome and dermatitis, have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to January 28, 2017.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine and left shoulder disabilities, as secondary to his service-connected headache disability. The claims will be reviewed again with new medical opinions.

The Veteran's IBS is granted a 30 percent rating, but no higher. The cervical strain and abdominal hernia issues are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck, back, left hip, left shoulder, and right and left leg disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection has been decided. The rating for dry skin syndrome - dermatoheliosis and actinic keratosis remains at 10 percent, while the issues of service connection for cervical strain (neck disability), traumatic brain injury, headache, left TMJ, right ear otalgia, hearing loss, and tinnitus have all been addressed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including PTSD, right shoulder, left shoulder, back, neck, and respiratory conditions are denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining a new medical opinion regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disability with degenerative arthritis. The initial compensable rating claim for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The issues of increased ratings for lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of lower extremities, cervical spine disability, and radiculopathy of upper extremities are being returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including consideration of newly-obtained service records and medical opinions. The appellant's current hearing loss disability does not meet VA criteria for a hearing loss disability. For other conditions, the Board finds that there is no evidence to support their onset in service or relationship to service.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including depression, lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, jaw disability, GERD, IBS, and tension headaches. The records will be sought to provide more information on these claims.

The Veteran's thoracic spine disability was rated at 10 percent prior to February 21, 2018 and at 20 percent thereafter. The cervical spine disability was granted a 20 percent rating.,Radiculopathy of the right upper extremity received a 40 percent rating from September 19, 2023, while radiculopathy of the left upper extremity received a 30 percent rating from that date.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disability, neck disability, left arm disability, MDD, PTSD, and OSA. The conditions are all found to be related to the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 21, 2022. The Board has found that the evidence is in at least approximate balance and any remaining reasonable doubt is resolved in favor of the Veteran. TDIU is granted prior to October 21, 2022.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck disability, left leg disability (excluding shin splints), right leg disability (excluding shin splints), right arm disability, and left arm disability due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The AOJ is instructed to address all submitted evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's cervical spine condition pre-existed his service and was aggravated by it, or if it is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected right shoulder condition.

The Board denied service connection for a right wrist disability, neck disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and right ankle disability. Service connection was granted for ingrown toenails of both feet.,Service connection was not established for the Veteran's claimed conditions due to lack of evidence demonstrating current disabilities or a link between his military service and these conditions.