Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to issues related to his cervical spine disability and OSA. Service connection for the cervical spine disability remains on appeal, as does a request for an increased rating. The service connection for OSA secondary to PTSD also needs further evaluation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck condition and hyperparathyroidism. The neck condition claim is denied, while the endocrine system claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a cervical spine disorder due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology. The Veteran needs to undergo a VA examination to determine if his current condition is related to service.

The Veteran's cervical strain is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds no evidence of ankylosis or intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS).,Right sided otalgia does not meet criteria for a compensable evaluation as there is no evidence of chronic suppurative otitis media, mastoiditis, cholesteatoma, or aural polyps.,Migraine headaches do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under DC 8100.,Squamous cell carcinoma with lymphedema in remission does not meet criteria for a compensable evaluation as it is not comparable to systemic malignancies.,Neck neuralgia does not meet criteria for a compensable evaluation as it has not manifested as moderate incomplete paralysis.,Loss of sense of smell and taste do not meet criteria for a compensable evaluation as they are only partial loss without evidence of complete loss.,TDIU is denied due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for cervical fusion is being remanded due to the need for a new examination to assess the severity and functional impact of his disability.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, serous otitis media, and several other conditions were denied. The appeals for increased ratings for hearing loss and scars, as well as the effective date claims for serous otitis media and scars were also denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for a low back disability and cervical spine disability. As a result, the Board dismissed these claims.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of the decision. A separate 20 percent rating for sleep impairment and muscle atrophy due to cervical spine disability is granted. Right upper extremity radiculopathy prior to November 8, 2016, is also granted a 40 percent rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine, right hip, left hip, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities. These issues are now remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to VA treatment for cervical spine, right shoulder, and right knee disabilities caused by a stress test on July 29, 2009.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to insufficient nexus opinions provided by VA examiners.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 100% disability rating. The right leg, neck, and bilateral knee disabilities are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD due to military sexual trauma and a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD are remanded as the VA examinations did not consider his in-service misconduct.,The Veteran's claim for TBI residuals is remanded as there was no determination of whether he had an in-service TBI, and tinnitus, headaches, and fatigue may be related to this condition.,The Veteran's claims for cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, left foot disorder, and right foot disorder are remanded as the VA examinations did not consider his reported in-service injuries.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment, resulting in a TDIU. The adjustment disorder with depressed mood requires further examination to determine the appropriate disability rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, right shoulder, and left hip disabilities due to insufficient examination reports.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a neck/cervical spine disability and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to inadequate compliance with prior remand directives. The Veteran's lay statements regarding his aircrew duties are to be addressed by the examiner.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated release forms for private treatment records and scheduling new VA examinations. Additionally, a medical opinion is required regarding the etiology of his psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and relationship of his claimed disabilities to active service.