Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to a lack of evidence showing that his cervical spine disability had its onset during or was otherwise related to his active service.

The Veteran's OSA is granted as secondary to her service-connected PTSD with obesity. The ratings for her neck and back disabilities remain at 20 percent.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's neck disability, finding that the evidence did not show forward flexion of the cervical spine at 15 degrees or less, which is required for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for BUE peripheral neuropathy is remanded due to the need for further development, including an addendum VA examination and consideration of all theories of service connection.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating issues have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of her current disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's conditions and his enlarged navicular tuberosities.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with the November 2022 remand directives regarding the remaining claim for service connection for a cervical spine injury. Therefore, the Board finds that an additional remand is warranted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and cervical spine disorders due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board denied service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disorder, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses of acquired thoracolumbar spine arthritis and degenerative disc disease are not etiologically related to or attributable to service.

The Veteran's left shoulder and right shoulder disorders, as well as his degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and cervical spine disorder are all found to be related to service. The Veteran has been granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot disabilities, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral shoulder disabilities, and bilateral knee disabilities are dismissed. The remaining issues of service connection have been remanded.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including left foot, left ankle, right foot, right knee, neck, sinusitis, and type II diabetes mellitus. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and active service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of bilateral pes planus due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the onset and etiology of his claimed disabilities, particularly left knee disability. The Veteran is also required to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his inguinal hernia, left elbow, left knee, neck, and back disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date has been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date has been withdrawn.,New evidence has been submitted to reopen the service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea, but further review is needed before a decision can be made.,The Veteran's service connection claim for hypertension remains pending and requires additional development.,The Veteran's service connection claim for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) remains pending and requires additional development.,The Veteran's service connection claim for a neck disability remains pending and requires additional development.,The Veteran's service connection claim for traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains pending and requires additional development.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) was denied due to the lack of current diagnosis and no evidence linking his symptoms to active duty. The claim for TDIU was also denied as the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, alone or in combination with other service-connected disabilities, meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU rating from December 5, 2019 to July 1, 2021. However, SMC pursuant to 38 U.S.C. §1114(s) is remanded due to insufficient evidence of his inability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has ordered a remand to ensure substantial compliance with the March 2022 Board remand instructions, specifically regarding the Veteran's reported flare-ups and functional loss due to pain during range of motion testing.

The Veteran is granted an initial 10 percent rating for sinusitis prior to September 12, 2019. However, a higher rating is denied.,For the entire period on appeal, the Veteran's sinusitis does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.