Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and bilateral shoulder disorders due to insufficient etiological opinions in the VA examination reports. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disability due to incomplete compliance with previous remand instructions and the need for an additional medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the claims. The remaining issues are remanded for further examination and evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, finding that it is not related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and is more likely due to a non-service-related injury in 2007.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition is rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations.,Prior to January 8, 2022, his left upper extremity radiculopathy was rated at 20 percent. From January 8, 2022, it was rated at 30 percent.,His right upper extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 40 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and the need to obtain additional medical records. The issues include lumbar spine, cervical spine, chest keloid, right leg keloid, left foot disorder, and bilateral pes planus.

The Board denied service connection for neck, left shoulder, left hip, and left knee disabilities because the evidence did not show that these conditions were incurred on active duty or in the line of active or inactive duty for training.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was rated at 10 percent prior to August 7, 2019 and at 30 percent as of that date. The Board found the evidence did not meet criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5237 or based on incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher staged ratings for his service-connected cervical spine and TMJ disabilities due to additional development being necessary.,Specifically, a new VA examination is needed to address whether the Veteran's increased neck pain with worsening TMJ symptoms and/or after activities including lifting and turning his head constitutes a flare-up, and if so, provide the current functional loss during any such flare-ups.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and cervical spine disabilities, as well as secondary service connection for radiculopathy of the upper left and right extremities. The claims for residuals of a tonsillectomy (secondary to OSA) and degenerative arthritis of the shoulders are remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, but has remanded them for further development and examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and outstanding VA treatment records. The issues include right shoulder, right ankle, left ankle, neck, and acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on all issues except GERD have been withdrawn. The appeal for GERD has been dismissed as it was fully granted in a previous decision.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional examinations to address functional loss due to flare-ups and repetitive use over time, as the previous VA examinations were inadequate in this regard.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for an increased rating for a cervical spine disability due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal. The remaining issues have been remanded, including service connection and TDIU.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and tension headaches as secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition with visual impairment claim is being remanded due to the failure to appear for a VA examination. The Veteran will be given another opportunity to provide evidence and undergo an examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral arm disability, bilateral hand disability, and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy are not supported by evidence of a nexus to service. The VA examiners found no direct link between these conditions and active duty.

The Veteran's service connection claims for insomnia, PTSD, neck disability, and nosebleeds are all denied. The increased rating claim for PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's costochondritis is rated as noncompensable, with no functional impairment noted on examination. The lumbar spine disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of ankylosis or other disabling symptoms.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been remanded for further evaluation.