Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for migraines including migraine variants with atypical migraines has been denied. The disability is currently rated as 50 percent, but the Veteran seeks an increase.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development and examination. The issues include bilateral hearing loss, alcohol use disorder, erectile dysfunction, gout, sleep disorders, low back disability, neck disability, peripheral neuropathy in various extremities, restless leg syndrome, left knee disability, psychiatric disability, shoulder disabilities, pes planus with neuroma and plantar fasciitis, left foot disability post-surgery, and right knee meniscal tear.

The Board denied service connection for cervical degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease (DDD/DJD) and radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, left shoulder strain, right knee limitation of flexion, and left knee limitation of flexion have been denied as the Veteran failed to appear for scheduled VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disability, finding no in-service occurrence and insufficient evidence to support the claim.,The Board remanded the issue of service connection for a low back disability due to conflicting medical opinions and lack of adequate nexus opinion.

The Veteran's cervical spine, left shoulder, right shoulder, and knee conditions are granted service connection.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is also granted.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder and bilateral upper extremity neuropathy are granted service connection, with the latter being secondary to his cervical disorder. A TDIU is also granted beginning May 1, 2019.

The Veteran's service connection claim for coronary artery disease is granted due to the PACT Act presumption. Claims for low back, neck, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 and lumbar spine disorder, but has remanded the claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and cervical spine disorder due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability (cervical spine) and a low back disability (lumbar spine), finding that the evidence is approximately evenly balanced as to whether these disabilities began during active military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a neck disability, back disability, and jaw disability due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining new medical opinions to assess the severity of the appellant's knee disabilities and determine whether her neck disability is related to service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for sciatica of the bilateral lower extremities and GERD. The issues of initial increased ratings for sciatica of the bilateral lower extremities and a TDIU are being remanded.,The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is pending, with a need to obtain personnel records and determine active duty periods.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to outstanding treatment records and an updated VA examination is necessary.

The Veteran's back disability was not manifested by forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less for the appeal period from September 16, 2008 to June 19, 2018. However, as of June 20, 2018, her limitation of range of motion approximated a level contemplated by a 40% disability rating.,The Veteran's neck disability was not manifested by forward flexion between 15 degrees and 30 degrees; or a combined range of motion of less than 170 degrees; or muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in abnormal gait or spinal contour.

The Veteran's groin condition with scar is being remanded due to inadequate VA examination findings.,The Veteran's cerebral hemangioblastoma residuals with scar are being remanded due to inadequate VA examination findings and the need for a toxic exposure screening.,The Veteran's pancreatitis, GERD, and cervical spine disability are being remanded as they are intertwined with his cerebral hemangioblastoma claim on appeal.,The Veteran's OSA is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination addressing obesity as an intermediate step.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is being remanded due to inadequate VA examination findings and the need for a VA examination addressing obesity as an intermediate step.,The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's lymph node condition is being remanded due to the need for a VA toxic exposure screening.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as his claim of entitlement to TDIU on a temporary basis due to pending development.

The Board has remanded the claims for reopening due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck disability and right shoulder disability have been granted.,Earlier effective dates for the assignment of ratings for depression disorder (70%) and lumbar spine disability (40%) are denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to obtain private treatment records. The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is being reviewed again for proper consideration.