Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for OSA as aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected insomnia disorder, major depressive disorder, and anxious distress (acquired psychiatric disorders). The claims for neck disability, back disability, and headaches have been denied.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the claims related to radiculopathy of the upper extremities, ankle sprains, and cervical pain with degenerative arthritis. The Board dismissed these appeals as a result.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's DD Form 214 and other documentation verifying his service from 1990-1999 are missing, and therefore remands for further efforts to obtain this information. The Veteran is also scheduled for an examination to determine if any of his current disabilities (sleep apnea, sinusitis, right shoulder, neck, bilateral foot nerve compression, and bilateral shin) had their onset during or are related to a period of active duty service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder and carpal tunnel syndrome, right hand, have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has determined that the claims must be remanded to obtain missing private treatment records and to provide a new VA examination for each of the service-connected conditions. The Veteran's STRs do not contain specific references to these conditions, but he reported experiencing symptoms since service.

The Veteran's upper back/neck and low back disabilities were denied as they are not related to service.,Service connection for the Veteran's claimed disabilities was denied because there is no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error and will need to obtain a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected conditions contributed to his death.

The Veteran's lumbar strain, left knee strain, and TMJ left side are all found to be at least as likely as not caused by her service. The right knee strain is denied due to lack of contemporaneous documentation. The tension headaches and cervical strain are also found to be related to the Veteran's service.,The Veteran's current diagnoses of lumbar strain, left knee strain, TMJ left side, tension headaches, and cervical strain have been determined to be at least as likely as not caused by her military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and neck disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran contends that his current conditions are related to injuries sustained during active duty, but the VA examiner found no evidence of chronicity or causation.

The Board denied service connection for a left ankle disability and granted service connection for left ear hearing loss. The neck disability claim is remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities due to inadequate VA examiner medical opinions. The Veteran contends his current conditions are related to military service, but the August 2023 VA examiner did not adequately address whether his strenuous duties in service could have led to his later spinal issues.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's cervical spine condition, including whether it is related to service or aggravated by a pre-existing condition.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at a 30 percent rating, effective from May 23, 2014. The claim for TDIU prior to January 1, 2021 was denied.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent, but not higher. The left upper extremity radiculopathy was initially granted a 30 percent rating and later increased to 60 percent.,The Veteran's TDIU claim has been granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination to address secondary service connection claims, including those related to antibiotic medications used to treat service-connected respiratory and sinus conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities due to insufficient examination reports. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which he contends are related to injuries sustained in service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development due to incomplete medical records and insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of her claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was previously rated at 10% prior to November 20, 2018. From November 20, 2018, to July 30, 2020, the rating was increased to 20%. Since then, a higher rating has not been granted.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus between the condition and active service or the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain disability or right biceps tendinitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to failure to comply with previous directives and issues related to scheduling of VA examinations. The Veteran is advised to provide his current address and contact information for further action.