Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for PTSD, insomnia secondary to PTSD, TBI, and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine require additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have caused him to be unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment since April 1, 2007. His TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for lumbosacral strain and cervical strain with IVDS have been denied. The back disability is rated at 10 percent, while the neck disability was initially rated at 0 percent (noncompensable) from September 22, 2015 to September 27, 2019, and at 20 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's cervical spondylosis and bilateral shoulder conditions are remanded for further evaluation. The right shoulder condition is granted a 20% rating prior to February 26, 2020, but denied ratings in excess of 20%. The left shoulder condition is also granted a 20% rating prior to February 26, 2020, but denied ratings in excess of 20%.

The Veteran's cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities are not related to his period of service.,The Veteran's right arm, left arm, right hip, left hip, right knee, left knee, right leg, and left leg disabilities are not related to his period of service.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his right thumb De Quervain's tenosynovitis is dismissed. The Board grants service connection for a cervical spine (neck disability), but denies service connection for bilateral upper extremity conditions, gastrointestinal disability, urethritis, and right ankle disability. Service connection for chest pain is also denied.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that the Veteran's reported neck pain in service was not chronic and did not lead to current disability. The Board also found that arthritis of the cervical spine did not manifest within a presumptive period.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding the veteran's claims for service connection of low back and neck disabilities due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 10 percent and 20 percent, respectively, for his lumbar strain and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine. The evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar and cervical spine disabilities rendered him incapable of obtaining and maintaining gainful employment prior to January 19, 2017.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to new evidence provided by the Veteran during a hearing. The VA will obtain and review all relevant treatment records, conduct examinations, and determine the current severity of the Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate examination and the need for further consideration of a service treatment record from March 4, 1966.

The Veteran's neck strain and DDD, cervical spine, claims have been reopened. The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to his service-connected motor vehicle accident. However, the upper back condition claim remains remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's cervical spine DDD disability prior to August 6, 2018, was granted an increased rating of 30 percent. The disability manifested with limited range of motion (flexion to 15 degrees or less), but not in unfavorable ankylosis.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete records and insufficient information regarding employment history.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for Meniere's disease, otitis media, and a peripheral vestibular disorder. The claims for thoracolumbar spine condition, cervical spine condition, and bilateral upper extremity nerve impairment were granted with reopening of the latter two.

The Veteran's bilateral eye condition is not service-connected, and her cervical spine disability was rated at 20% prior to June 23, 2021, but the rating for this condition has been increased to 40% after that date.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was granted a 20 percent evaluation prior to November 9, 2021. From November 9, 2021 onwards, the Veteran is not entitled to an increased rating.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current diagnosis and his active-duty service.,Service connection was also denied for a cervical spine condition claimed as secondary to his right knee disability. The Board found insufficient medical evidence linking this condition to service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including hemorrhoids, right knee disability, lumbosacral spine disability, cervical spine disability, and right lower extremity femoral radiculopathy. The claims are being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing adequate examinations.