Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a back disability and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is also denied as there is no evidence showing these conditions began during or are otherwise related to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a back disability and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is also denied as there is no evidence showing these conditions began during or are otherwise related to active service.

The Board has determined that there are outstanding private and VA treatment records related to the Veteran's bilateral pes planus, right foot calcaneal spur, cervical strain with degenerative disc disease, radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, and radiculopathy of the left upper extremity. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The left upper extremity radiculopathy and right upper extremity radiculopathy are rated at 30 percent and 20/40 percent, respectively, with cervical degenerative disc and joint disease rated at 20/30 percent.

The Board has determined that additional evidence should be obtained and the claims for increased rating and reopening service connection are being remanded to the AOJ.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed to correct a duty to assist error and remands the cases for further action.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a left leg condition is dismissed.,Service connection for left upper extremity neuropathy and right upper extremity neuropathy has been denied.,A cervical spine disorder remains pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals of cervical spine surgery was denied as the surgery did not cause an additional disability, and there is no evidence that it caused his current condition.,The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted due to his service-connected major depressive disorder which precludes him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's high cholesterol is not considered a compensable disability for VA purposes.,There is no evidence of cervical spine degenerative disc disease or neck pain during service, and the current condition is not related to any in-service injury. The claim for this condition is denied.,Hypertension was not shown within one year after separation from service, nor is there a link between it and service. Therefore, the Veteran's hypertension claim is also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy. The Board found no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year post-service that was related to an injury or disease. The Board also determined there was insufficient evidence to support a secondary service connection claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder, and cervical spine disorder are related to his military service. The claims for these conditions have been remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for cervical strain and degenerative joint disease (DJD) and for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches prior to May 14, 2021 and a compensable rating prior to May 19, 2015. The remand requires the Veteran to be provided with updated medical records and new VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal regarding TDIU is being remanded for further review. The issue of an increased rating for cervical spine DJD has not been properly appealed and will be considered separately.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as she meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU based on all her service-connected disabilities, which include a lumbar spine disability rated at 40 percent and other conditions. The effective date will be determined by the AOJ.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions and new evidence added since the Court's May 2023 Remand. The Veteran's cervical spine condition is being reviewed for service connection.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions obtained on remand are inadequate and requires further examination to determine if any of the Veteran's claimed disabilities are related to service.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including right foot plantar fasciitis, cervical and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, right knee meniscal tear, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability. The Veteran's claims are being returned to the RO for additional examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for osteoarthritis and cervical spine disability is remanded due to the need to obtain private chiropractic treatment records.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an appropriate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spondylosis, which is currently considered secondary to his service-connected low back disability. The current VA examination was deemed inadequate and further development is required.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as related to in-service noise exposure.,His right ankle injury residuals are denied due to lack of evidence of a current disability.