Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his disabilities due to incomplete VA examinations, lack of proper notice, and need for further medical opinions.

All appeals for increased ratings and effective dates have been withdrawn by the Veteran.,Service connection for prostate cancer has been granted due to exposure to chemicals in Iraq.

The Veteran's cervical spine spondylosis, right testicular abnormality, and erectile dysfunction are remanded for further examination to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's cervical and left finger laceration claims are denied. The lumbar spine disability claim is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and further development is required. The Veteran's neck and back disabilities are still on appeal for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for thoracolumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities, as well as tinnitus. Service connection was also granted for hypertrophic calluses of the left foot and right foot.,Service connection was denied for sinusitis and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection of various disabilities, including a right wrist disability, left wrist disability, neck disability, and right ankle disability. The decision also denied an earlier effective date for tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to a need for medical opinions regarding when the Veteran's upper extremity radiculopathy first manifested and whether it is associated with his service-connected neck disability.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his service-connected cervical strain is remanded due to the need for an additional examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine disability. The case is being remanded for a new VA examination and opinion.

The Veteran's cervical strain and upper extremity radiculopathy are being granted increased ratings, but the maximum available benefit has not been assigned.,Service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion provided in previous examinations.,Service connection for hypothyroidism is also remanded due to inadequate medical opinion provided in previous examinations.

The Veteran's initial rating for radiculopathy of the left upper extremity prior to February 22, 2022 was denied.,An increased rating in excess of 40 percent for radiculopathy of the left upper extremity from February 22, 2022 is also denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including intermittent explosive disorder and delusion disorder, is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine, cervical, and associated radiculopathies.,Service connection for a higher rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is granted from November 4, 2020.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities are being remanded due to the need for further development and examination.

The Board found that withholding VA compensation benefits to recoup separation pay in the amount of $13,958.15 was proper and denied the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, including degenerative disc disease, has been reopened. The case is being remanded to determine the nature and likely etiology of his neck disability and whether it is related to service or his service-connected back disability.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a need for additional medical examination and consideration of medication effects on the Veteran's cervical spine and right shoulder disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and clarification of the medical opinions provided, as they do not address all theories of entitlement raised by the Veteran.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to military service, and the character of his discharge from his second period of service is not a bar to VA benefits.,Service connection for heart disease, hypertension, kidney disease, sleep apnea, bilateral knee disability, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and scars are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been denied. The Board found that the criteria for higher ratings were not met, except for a March 29, 2013 effective date for service connection of right lower extremity radiculopathy.