Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that his disability was incurred during active service and resolving reasonable doubt in his favor. The reopening of the previously denied claim is also confirmed.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial compensable rating for a right knee disability, service connection for hypertension, and service connection for a right ankle disability, lumbar spine disability, bilateral foot disability (pes planus), and cervical spine disability due to inadequate examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.,The Board will address the issues of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for back disability, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, neck disability, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including SSA records and private treatment records. The Veteran will be provided with a Statement of the Case regarding his earlier effective date claim for DEA benefits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine condition and a left knee condition, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or incident that caused these conditions.,Both conditions were diagnosed post-service, with the cervical spine issue first noted in 2009 and the left knee issue in 2000. The Board found that the Veteran's current conditions are less likely than not related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability (claimed as neck disability) due to lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or disease and no onset within one year after discharge.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, asbestosis, and lung disability/COPD. The Veteran's conditions are found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease (DDD), is granted service connection.,The Veteran's cervical radiculopathy of the left upper extremity is also granted service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of service connection for a cervical spine disorder should be remanded due to inadequate examination and lack of consideration of all relevant diagnoses.

The Veteran's claims for left knee, cervical spine, and thoracic spine conditions have been granted. The claim for PTSD remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for otosclerosis of the left ear. Service connection for a cervical spine disability is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to exposure to burn pits and other toxins during his military service, including his MOS as a vehicle repairer. The case will be reviewed with additional medical opinions considering the synergistic effect of all toxic exposures.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disorder, which is claimed as secondary to service-connected chronic lumbar muscular strain.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability and a neck disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine, lumbar spine, and right hand disabilities did not begin during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease. Service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran withdrew from appeal all issues related to service connection for various disabilities and an increased rating, resulting in the dismissal of these appeals.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck disability, diagnosed as cervical strain, degenerative arthritis of the spine, and spinal stenosis, is service-connected. The decision was based on credible lay statements regarding continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left shoulder condition, headache condition, cervical spine condition, lumbar strain, and bilateral knee conditions. Additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including adjustment disorder with depressed mood and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, prevented him from maintaining substantially gainful employment from September 25, 2019, to December 22, 2022. The Board granted a TDIU for this period based on the combined disability rating of 70 percent.