Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities are related to service, granting their claims for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's cervical spine disorder is caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran is service-connected for multiple disabilities, including PTSD, cervical and lumbar spine conditions, and musculoskeletal issues. The Board found that the combination of these disabilities renders him unemployable but not solely due to any single disability. Therefore, he does not meet the criteria for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).

The Veteran's neck disability and associated left upper extremity radiculopathy are currently rated at 20 percent, effective October 8, 2021. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for a bilateral eye disability due to her withdrawal of the appeal. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for further development and examination.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected headaches and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine. The issues regarding homonymous quadrantanopsia, headaches, and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for his neck and back disabilities require additional development due to outstanding records and need for updated medical opinions.

The Veteran has withdrawn all his appeals regarding the disability ratings and service connection for various conditions. The Board dismissed these claims as per the appellant's request.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and cervical radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU from August 13, 2013 to February 24, 2017 is granted. The issues of service connection for GERD, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, a neck disability, and a right shoulder disability, as well as the request to reopen the claim of service connection for an eating disorder, are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for neck disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and lower back disability. The claims were reopened due to new evidence received since the January 2008 rating decision.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and respiratory disability (COPD) based on the Veteran's credible reports of in-service injuries and subsequent symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine and cervical disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and that any current condition is not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to deficiencies in the examination reports, particularly regarding the severity of his lumbar spine disability and associated bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The issues have also been expanded to include evaluations for any related cervical spine disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lower back and neck disabilities, which are aggravated by her service-connected PTSD due to MST.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back, neck, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities are service-connected. However, due to a lack of an examination for his right shoulder disability, this issue is remanded.

The Veteran's neck disability, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, and tinnitus have all been granted service connection. The neck disability is linked to an in-service injury during active duty for training.

The Board has found that service connection for a right eye condition, including retinal detachment and cataract resulting from surgical treatment, is not established. The Veteran's PTSD claim was remanded due to insufficient evidence linking the diagnosis to an in-service stressor.