Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected back, neck, right ankle, left ankle, right foot, and left foot disabilities require additional examinations to comply with VA examination requirements. The cases are being remanded.

The Board has remanded four issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial rating determinations. These include right ear sensorineural hearing loss, left ear sensorineural hearing loss, a neck disability (claimed as C Disc), and residuals of a traumatic brain injury.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for heart disability, sleep disability (including insomnia and OSA), left ankle disability, right ankle disability, and cervical spine disability due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to ambiguities in the VA examination reports and the need for additional information regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's left upper extremity radiculopathy was granted a 30 percent disability rating from March 4, 2010 to June 30, 2019.,From July 1, 2019 to December 10, 2021, the Veteran's left upper extremity radiculopathy was denied a higher than 30 percent disability rating.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disability and remanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral foot disability other than calluses, to include plantar fasciitis.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is granted a separate rating as secondary to her service-connected spondylosis of the thoracic spine. The cervical and thoracic spine conditions are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine condition, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his in-service injury and did not manifest within one year of separation from service.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine disability, bilateral ankle disabilities, and OSA due to inadequate VA examinations. The effective date of TDIU is inextricably intertwined with these service connection claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back and neck disabilities, but has remanded these issues due to a lack of medical evidence on the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and correctly decide the Veteran's claims for service connection, including a new examination for his left lateral collateral ligament sprain. The issues of service connection have also been remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hand disorder, including arthritis and cervical radiculopathy, finding that there is no evidence of such disorders in service or within one year of discharge. The current conditions are not related to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims for various disabilities as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to the need to obtain additional medical records, particularly from Italy where the Veteran worked as a civilian employee of the Department of Defense.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disability, OSA disability, and headache disability. The remand is due to incomplete or insufficient medical opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Veteran is granted SMC benefits under Section 1114(o) for his service-connected disabilities and also SMC benefits at the (r)(1) rate due to need for regular aid and attendance. The issues of entitlement to SMC under Sections 1114(k), (l), and (m) are moot as they provide lesser benefits than Section 1114(o).

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for DM, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to in-service treatment records indicating a prior diagnosis.

The Board denied service connection for atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, cervical spine disorder, back disorder (likely thoracolumbar spine), carpal tunnel syndrome, and vertigo as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected fibromyalgia. The claims were remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to January 5, 2011 is being remanded due to the interrelated nature with his neck disability issue.,The Board finds that an addendum medical opinion is required regarding the Veteran's neck disability as it was based on inaccurate factual premises.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for multiple sclerosis and associated upper and lower extremity disorders, as well as muscle pain and spasticity disorder, vertigo, intermittent fecal incontinence not otherwise specified (bowel problems, gastrointestinal problems), neurogenic bladder disorder, and cervical spine disorder. The reasons are that there is insufficient evidence to determine the etiology of these conditions.