Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied, and the Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim.,The Veteran's psychiatric disorder is rated at 30 percent, but not higher. The Board did not find any additional symptoms warranting a higher rating.,Service connection for cervical spine disability, left ankle disability, and lumbar spine disability was granted effective May 11, 2016. The Veteran requested earlier dates, which were denied as there was no indication of intent to claim these disabilities prior to that date.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy and right lower extremity radiculopathy were also granted service connection effective May 11, 2016. Again, the Veteran requested earlier dates which were denied as there was no indication of intent to claim these disabilities prior to that date.,Service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy and right upper extremity radiculopathy is remanded due to lack of evidence supporting secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to conflicting medical opinions and a lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, cervical spine disability, and headaches are granted. The Veteran is also awarded a higher rating for his TMJ disorder as of October 28, 2021.

The Board has remanded the cases due to lack of substantial compliance with previous instructions. The cervical spine and left hip disorders are being reviewed again for proper service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right upper extremity peripheral nerve condition, diagnosed as cervical radiculopathy and nerve neuropathy of the carpal tunnel, is secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability. The decision grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, status post anterior cervical discectomy and fusion is being remanded due to an inadequate opinion from a previous VA examiner. The Board requests another opinion to consider the Veteran's reported lay-observable neck symptoms during the 27-year period between 1979 and 2006.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine disability, finding that it is caused by his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for cervical spine and lumbar spine arthritis as there are outstanding service treatment records from his periods of active duty, and a VA examination is needed.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and nerve damage in right arm and hand, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability was denied in 1991, but new evidence has now been submitted to reopen the claim.,Service connection is granted for a posterior cruciate ligament injury of the right knee.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a cervical spine disability, left hip disability, and effective date for degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome. The Veteran's claims are also being remanded for additional development related to her TDIU prior to August 26, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining retrospective opinions on the severity of his disabilities since April 2011.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination. The issues include headaches, PTSD, brain aneurysm, TBI, balance disability, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, dental disability, cervical spine disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, right wrist disability, left wrist disability, right thumb disability, left thumb disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability.

The Veteran's TBI and acquired psychiatric disorder are granted service connection. The cervical spine, lumbar spine, left ankle, and right ankle disorders are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for cervical spine, lumbar spine, bilateral knee, bilateral ankle, and sleep apnea disorders have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or nexus to service.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and insomnia) has been remanded due to the need for further development.

Service connection is denied for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, right and left upper extremity neurological disabilities (other than bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome), right and left lower extremity neurological disabilities, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus.,The Veteran's current cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are not related to service.

The Veteran's initial rating for cervical spine disability was denied, but a 20 percent rating was granted for radiculopathy of the left upper extremity beginning January 31, 2018. The Veteran's initial rating for radiculopathy of the right upper extremity was also granted at this time, with a higher rating being denied thereafter. A 10 percent rating was granted for GERD with gastritis, hiatal hernia, and status post surgery Nissen repair fundoplication with surgical scars.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine and right hip disabilities due to a lack of VA medical examinations and opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and left knee disorder based on the Veteran's credible reports of symptoms during active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns raised in a Joint Motion for Partial Remand, which requires further action consistent with the Court's decision. Specifically, the Veteran needs a new VA examination to address his functional loss during flare-ups and after repetitive use over time.