Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as a right shoulder disability. The reasons are that the opinions provided by the VA examiner were insufficient and further examination is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine disability (including degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome), thoracolumbar spine disability (including intervertebral disc syndrome), and right hip disability. The claims were reopened due to new evidence provided by the Veteran.

The Board has found that additional development is required for the Veteran's claims of service connection for back and neck disabilities, as secondary to his service-connected bilateral shoulder disability. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were reopened, and the appeals are granted for neck disability and left shoulder disability. The claim for wrist disability remains denied.

Service connection for COPD is granted. Service connection for a neck disability is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for kidney disability, hypertension, back disability, and neck disability due to inadequate examinations and opinions. The cases are now pending for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability and right upper extremity radiculopathy, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.,Service connection was also denied for left upper extremity radiculopathy due to lack of evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating determinations for various musculoskeletal disabilities, including right knee disability, lumbar strain, cervical strain, and left knee internal derangement and chondromalacia. Additional VA clinical documentation from a hospitalization report is relevant to these claims.

The Veteran's neck condition, left ankle condition, and hemorrhoids have all been granted service connection. The neck condition was reopened after new evidence was submitted.

The Veteran's cervical radiculopathy of the upper extremities has been rated at 30 percent for the left upper extremity and 40 percent for the right upper extremity. The Board finds that higher ratings are warranted, but remands are necessary to obtain private treatment records and to afford a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations requested in January 2019 have not been conducted and therefore, these issues are being remanded for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for thoracic spine degenerative disc disease with osteophyte formation and facet joint and ligament flavum hypertrophy, but the appeal for cervical spine disability remains pending.

The Veteran's cervical strain is granted a 30% rating effective May 16, 2022.,A separate 30% rating for right upper extremity ulnar neuropathy is also granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, neck/cervical spine disability, left elbow disability, and bilateral foot disability as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Veteran's appeal to establish increased ratings for right hip strain is dismissed. The claim of service connection for bruxism, secondary to temporomandibular joint dysfunction, is granted. The appeals regarding the initial disability rating for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and right elbow strain are remanded due to need for updated VA examinations. The appeal for service connection for PTSD is also remanded due to need for corroborating evidence of a stressor event.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as his now service-connected radiculopathies of the femoral and sciatic nerves of the right and left lower extremities. The VA is instructed to obtain relevant treatment records from chiropractors and physical therapists, conduct additional examinations, and readjudicate the claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and hypertension, but denied all other issues due to lack of evidence or failure to meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are granted. Service connection is established for tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder), bilateral hands and feet disabilities, bilateral knees disabilities, hypertension, back, neck, hips, shoulders, legs, left shoulder condition, right shoulder arthritis, left-hand condition, right-hand condition, back condition, left hip condition, right hip condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, right leg condition, left leg condition, left foot condition, and right foot condition.

The Veteran's initial rating for lumbosacral spine strain is denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent disability rating. Service connection for neck disability, considered secondary to service-connected conditions, is also denied.

The Veteran's initial rating for heart disease is denied. Service connection for a cervical spine disability and GERD are remanded due to the need for additional development.