Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities, particularly whether they are related to his military service or environmental exposures during his service in the Persian Gulf.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the claims of loss of balance, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine radiculopathy, and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for herniated nucleus pulposus (HPN) of the cervical spine.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render her unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to May 21, 2013.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a comprehensive VA examination considering all of his service-connected conditions, including those not previously considered in the previous examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, lumbosacral strain, and neck disability manifested by pain. The claim of service connection for dizziness is remanded.,Service connection was established for the Veteran's sleep apnea, lumbosacral strain, and neck disability manifested by pain based on direct evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability, a left shoulder disability, and a neck disability due to the Veteran's election into the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) review system.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for hypertension and cervicalgia as he withdrew his appeals prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and cervical spine conditions due to incomplete medical opinions, lack of verification of active duty periods, and other procedural issues.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 60 percent for CAD is granted. The Veteran also receives a TDIU from August 28, 2019 to November 30, 2019 and SMC during the same period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for SMC based upon the need for regular aid and attendance from July 12, 2011, to January 29, 2019. The Board found that he was capable of performing most daily activities with some assistance.

The appeal for increased ratings on the Veteran's cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine disabilities is being remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with previous Board directives. Additional VA examination and treatment records are needed.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a cervical spine condition, and left upper extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the cervical spine condition. A 50 percent rating is assigned for migraines since December 17, 2019.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including neck disability, bilateral shoulder disability, back disability, hip disability, and knee disability due to incomplete development. The Veteran's lay statements and VA treatment records will be reviewed, along with any additional medical evidence.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and left upper extremity radiculopathy are granted service connection. The appeal for the radiculopathy of the left and right sciatic nerves is dismissed as they have already been granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptoms and treatment.

The Veteran's right wrist disorder and cervical spine disorder are granted as service connected.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective March 17, 2011 to May 15, 2014 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and maintaining gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's cervical spine disability is related to service. The VA examiner needs to provide an opinion on this issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, loss of feeling in the pelvic area, pinched nerve on the right side of the neck, cervicalgia, ankle disabilities, sphincter control issues, bladder control issues, and hematochezia are remanded due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates are remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The Board will consider all issues when readjudicating these matters.