Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) were denied as the Veteran failed to report for scheduled VA examinations, which were necessary to evaluate her service-connected conditions.

The Board dismissed all appeals regarding service connection and increased ratings, as well as earlier effective date claims for the Veteran's conditions.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations provided for each condition were inadequate and remanded these issues back to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The Board has determined that the claims for a compensable rating for a hernia and a rating greater than 10 percent for a neck disability need to be remanded due to incomplete development. The Veteran will need to provide any outstanding treatment records, and a new VA examination is required to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for cervical spine degenerative disc disease is granted, and the claims for sinusitis, cervical spine radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and left ankle arthritis are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder condition and a cervical spine condition, but has remanded the cases of bowel incontinence and headache condition due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left eye disability and cervical spine disability.

The Board has remanded the TDIU issue due to unresolved service connection claims for low back disability, neck disability, and radiculopathy. The TDIU claim will not be processed until these intertwined issues are resolved.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations. The Veteran's PTSD and cervical spine disorder are both being reviewed.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current neck disability is as likely as not due to repeated falls caused by his service-connected orthopedic and neurological disabilities, granting him service connection on a secondary basis.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder, finding that the Veteran's condition is not related to his military service and is more likely due to natural progression of age-related degenerative changes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD, bilateral leg disability, neck disability, lung condition, and chronic sinusitis due to incomplete development of records. The VA must obtain updated treatment records and VistA Imaging records, provide addendum opinions regarding the Veteran's disabilities, and issue an SSOC addressing the additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including back, neck, knee, and stomach conditions. The cases are being returned to provide VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of these disabilities.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 30 percent prior to July 1, 2021.,Service connection for a gastrointestinal condition as secondary to the service-connected neck disability has been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction (ED) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The issues of service connection for cervical spine strain, lumbar spine strain, bilateral ankle lateral ligament strain, cephalgia headaches, myelodysplastic syndrome, and traumatic brain injury are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for neck, right hip, and left hip disabilities due to insufficient evidence in the record regarding the severity of the Veteran's service-connected foot disability and the need for convalescence following bunionectomies.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities have been granted a 20% rating, effective prior to April 5, 2022. The Veteran's bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy has also been granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the reduction of ratings for cervical spine degenerative arthritis was not proper and has restored the original ratings. The Veteran's claims for a higher rating, TDIU, and SMC are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus type II, rheumatoid arthritis, and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine due to new information regarding her exposure to toxic agents during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability, cervical spine disability, and acquired psychiatric disability. The Board found that there was no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions regarding incidents in service that could have caused her current disabilities.