Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is denied for various conditions and ratings, with some issues being denied in excess of the assigned rating and others having their ratings denied altogether.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and a cervical spine disorder are remanded due to ambiguities in the medical evidence. The Board finds further opinion is necessary to clarify whether the Veteran has these claimed disabilities or had them at any time during the appellate period, as well as to determine their likely etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for cervicalgia and neck muscle spasm, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are etiologically related to his in-service injuries. The decision is based on a September 2020 medical opinion by Dr. F.G., an orthopedic surgeon who reviewed the Veteran's treatment records and concluded that the Veteran's cervical spine disorders are likely related to in-service injuries during active duty.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to February 11, 2014, for the increased 10 percent rating for left Achilles tendon is denied.,The previously denied claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss has been reopened due to new and material evidence.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and a neck disability, finding that the evidence did not establish a current disability or link to service.,Service treatment records from the appellant's Marine Corps service were negative for complaints or abnormalities pertaining to the back or neck. The VA medical records do not show any chronic conditions related to these disabilities.

A 70 percent evaluation for PTSD with MDD is granted.,An 80 percent evaluation prior to February 2, 2021, for partial complex seizure disorder is granted. An evaluation in excess of 80 percent beginning February 2, 2021, for partial complex seizure disorder is denied.,A compensable evaluation for cervical strain disability beginning May 27, 2013, is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to allegations of injuries during training exercises. The DROC is tasked with verifying these incidents and obtaining medical opinions on whether the appellant's current disabilities are related to her military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disorders and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy due to insufficient evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine if his current disabilities are related to his in-service injury.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 10 percent prior to November 22, 2021 and at 20 percent thereafter. The cervical spine disability remains rated at 20 percent.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was remanded due to insufficient evidence for a higher rating.

The Veteran's skin disability is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to his service and exposure to CARC.,The Veteran's left shoulder disability is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to his service.,The Veteran's left ankle disability is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to his service.,The Veteran's right ankle disability, including as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability, is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to his service and whether it is aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.,The Veteran's tinnitus is being remanded for an addendum opinion from the April 2016 VA examiner to address whether it is due to military noise exposure.,The Veteran's neck disability, including as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability, is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to his service.,The Veteran's hip disability, including a secondary to his service-connected right knee disability, is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to his service.,The Veteran's respiratory disability, including as due to exposure to CARC, is being remanded for an addendum opinion from the May 2016 VA examiner to address whether it is related to his service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's neck disability is related to service or secondary to his service-connected conditions, including low back disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck disability and right shoulder disability due to incomplete records, unclear medical opinions, and inextricably intertwined issues.

The Board has remanded the issues regarding the Veteran's neck, right hip, and left hip disabilities for further development.,The Veteran was not granted service connection for her claimed neck disability, right hip disability, or left hip disability.

The Veteran's initial rating claims for right and left ankle fractures, as well as degenerative arthritis/IVDS of the cervical spine have been denied. The Veteran is currently receiving a non-compensable (zero percent) rating for his service-connected ankle disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and a temporary total rating for his cervical spine disability due to an error in obtaining relevant medical records. The case will be readjudicated after further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for ankylosing spondylitis of the thoracolumbar spine and cervical spine due to inadequate examination reports and failure to obtain in-service vaccination records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete records and the need for updated VA examinations. The issues of increased evaluations for various service-connected disabilities are being returned to the AOJ for further review.

The Veteran's tension headaches were rated at a noncompensable level prior to May 10, 2018. As of that date, the Veteran was granted a 50 percent disability rating for his tension headaches.,For degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, the Veteran received a 30 percent disability rating from May 20, 2020 onwards. Prior to this date, he did not receive any higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient examination reports and lack of etiological opinions. The Veteran's complaints of low back pain, left knee arthritis, and cervical spine DDD are being reviewed again.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's dizziness is related to service and grants service connection for this condition. The cervical spine disability and GERD cases are remanded due to incomplete medical opinions.