Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has dismissed the appeals for accrued benefits based on pending claims for service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, bilateral upper extremity, and heart disabilities as no substantive appeal was filed.

The Board has granted service connection for tension headaches, cervical spine spondylosis, facet syndrome and cervical myofascial pain syndrome, right shoulder osteoarthritis and labral tear status post arthroscopic repair, thoracolumbar strain, and right knee tendonitis/tendinosis and patellofemoral pain syndrome. The Board found the evidence to be in equipoise as to whether these conditions arose during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU prior to September 3, 2013 are inextricably intertwined with his current claims. Therefore, these issues have been remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the reopening of claims for service connection for cervical spine condition, low back condition, respiratory condition, heat injury, and rhabdomyolysis due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for low back and cervical spine disorders due to insufficient medical opinions addressing potential in-service causation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for neck, back, right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities due to additional development needed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for the VA to obtain his medical records and conduct examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities, which may affect his ability to drive. The matter will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy and alcoholic neuropathy are rated at 20 percent, effective from the date of claim. The other issues have been addressed as per the decision.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine arthritis and left knee osteoarthritis based on the presumption of chronicity due to continuous symptoms since service separation.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, and bilateral hip disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and a left hand disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a direct relationship to his military service. The Board also found that the secondary claim cannot be granted as a matter of law due to the denial of the primary disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a neck disability, finding that there is not an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence to support the claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck, back, left knee, and right knee disabilities, as well as gastroesophageal disorder (GERD) and gastrointestinal disorder (IBS), due to missing STRs. The Veteran is also being asked to provide mental health treatment records.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased evaluations have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for low back pain and neurological impairment due to VA surgical treatment, as well as service connection for bilateral shoulder disabilities, cervical spine disability, and left hip bursitis claimed as secondary to or proximately caused by the resultant lower back pain and neurological impairment.

The Veteran's service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is denied, but he is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities have been reopened. The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an opinion regarding the etiology of her cervical and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA examination and clarification of the Veteran's employment status. The issues of entitlement to an increased rating for cervical degenerative disc disease and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 are remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.