Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete records and lack of information regarding employment status.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and outstanding records. The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including liver condition, low back disability, neck disability, fatigue (claimed as chronic fatigue syndrome), sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete information from a previous VA examination, specifically regarding range of motion testing and pain levels. The Veteran's cervical spine disability and left upper extremity radiculopathy need further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back and neck disabilities, finding that these conditions are related to his in-service explosion. The evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether the injuries occurred during service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the service connection claims for various disabilities, including hydrocephalus and its related conditions. The remand will allow for further examination and opinion regarding whether any of these conditions were caused or aggravated by events during active service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 30 percent, and the Board has remanded the issue of increased rating for her cervical spine disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to missing records from the Orlando and Tampa VAMCs. The hypertension claim is also pending as it may be related to the other conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and cervical spine disability have been granted an effective date of January 3, 2018.

The Veteran's cervical degenerative disease is found to be related to his service, and he is granted service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for cervical spine disability was denied, and his claim for TDIU from October 26, 2020 forward was also denied. The decision found that the Veteran did not meet criteria for a higher rating based on his degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, and there were no incapacitating episodes requiring bedrest.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU. The issues regarding cervical discectomy scar, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, cervical spine discectomy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy are all remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back disability, cervical spine disability (to include as secondary to a low back disability), left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to insufficient information in previous opinions. A supplemental opinion is needed to address the Veteran's reports of self-treatment after discharge.

The Veteran's claims for depressive disorder, sleep apnea, and growths on the lips and tongue have been granted. The Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than a depressive disorder and a generalized anxiety disorder), dental problems with receding gums, cervical spine condition, and lumbar spine condition are still pending.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations of his service-connected disabilities and for SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, cervical spine, lumbar spine (claimed as scoliosis), left knee, and right knee disabilities. The Veteran's claim of deviated septum was also denied.,Service connection was not granted for any of the claimed conditions due to lack of evidence linking them to active service.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on need for aid and attendance due to service-connected cervical spondylosis and lumbar spine arthritis, finding that prior to January 30, 2018, there was no evidence showing the Veteran needed regular aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inconsistencies in evidence and need for clarification of certain findings. The issues include service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, initial ratings for cervical spine DJD and lumbar DDD, and an increased rating for gout.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to deficiencies in the VA examinations and other issues.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of this decision. The Board has remanded his claims for service connection for other disabilities due to lack of evidence in the record.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations were inadequate to adjudicate the issue on appeal and requires additional development, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion.