Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, as he has maintained and is capable of maintaining such employment throughout the appeal period.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete examination reports and further development is required.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is related to service, including his reported falls during service. However, the medical opinions provided are insufficient for the Board to make a fully informed evaluation regarding secondary and aggravation service connection claims. Therefore, another remand is required.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic bronchitis is denied. The initial ratings for PTSD are granted at 70 percent since July 18, 2013 and the TDIU claim is granted effective July 18, 2013. Other service connection claims are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various lower extremity and spinal disorders due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service injuries are not addressed, nor is secondary service connection considered.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and providing information about the qualifications of the VA examiners who examined him.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, finding that it did not manifest in service or within one year thereafter and is not otherwise causally related to her military service. The Board also found no evidence of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and dystonia of the supraclavicular, cervical, and scapulothoracic regions.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection, but his bilateral hearing loss and right knee/lumbar/cervical spine disabilities were denied. The cases for the right knee, lumbar spine, and cervical spine are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have any of the claimed disabilities, and thus service connection is denied for all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his service-connected cervical spine disability and TDIU are being remanded to allow for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle disability, floaters in both eyes as secondary to service-connected bilateral eye lattice degeneration, recurrent left parotid cyst, status-post left inguinal hernia repair, cervical spine disability, and bilateral pes planus have all been denied by the Board.,No compensable ratings were granted for any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a cervical spine disorder, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and knee disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The VA examinations are also needed to assess the current severity of his knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical strain and lumbar strain with unfused apophysis at L-4 and degenerative joint disease due to incomplete VA medical treatment records and the need for updated VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder, but denied service connection for cervical spine and low back conditions. The claims of service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) and hypertension are remanded.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions obtained in August 2022 are inadequate and requires further examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's right knee and cervical spine disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claim for hypertension is denied as there is no current diagnosis of hypertension.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability, rated at 20%, is not entitled to a higher rating due to the lack of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS).,Prior to November 4, 2022, the Veteran's headaches are granted a noncompensable evaluation. Since then, he has been granted a 50% evaluation for very frequent prostrating attacks.,The Veteran is granted an initial 10% evaluation for urticaria throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for cervical strain based on the receipt of new and material evidence is granted. The issues of service connection for PTSD, left carpal tunnel syndrome, right carpal tunnel syndrome, hemorrhoids, right hallux valgus, left hallux valgus, lumbar disc disease and strain, degenerative joint disease of the left knee, right knee tendonitis, and generalized anxiety disorder are all remanded.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, including degenerative arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, is rated at 20% throughout the appeal period. Separate ratings of 40% for right upper extremity radiculopathy and 20% for left upper extremity radiculopathy are also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine condition and hypertension due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran contends her conditions are related to in-service injuries, but VA examiners have not provided adequate rationale.