Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran's sleep disturbance is already considered in his service-connected major depressive disorder, and there are no separate sleep disabilities capable of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and left arm disability is remanded due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, but denied service connection for residuals of a wound to the back of head (TBI). The Veteran's current spinal conditions are considered at least as likely as not related to his active service. However, there is no evidence linking the Veteran's TBI to his service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations in excess of the current ratings for tinnitus, exercise-induced asthma, migraine headaches, lumbago with L3-L4 disc herniation, and cervical spine, cervicalgia status post fusion C5-C6 with disc bulging and stenosis is remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus remains denied as there are no exceptional circumstances that warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and TDIU due to lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or disease related to his current condition, as well as insufficient evidence linking any current disabilities to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, bilateral shoulder, and right hip disorders as they are not shown to be causally or etiologically related to his military service.,Service connection was also denied for erectile dysfunction, sleep disturbances, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, radiculopathy of the upper extremities, and GERD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, and neck disability due to inadequate development of his periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA).

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and lumbar and cervical spine conditions are remanded for further evaluation due to the need for new VA examinations.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim for service connection for a heart condition, but has remanded it due to insufficient evidence. The neck and head claims have also been remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for his service connection to right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, and bilateral shoulder conditions. The Board found that there was no factual ascertainable increase in disability within a year prior to the date of the claim.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for skin rash and granted service connection for tinnitus. Service connection is remanded for cervical spondylosis without myelopathy.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the Veteran's neck disability from February 26, 2020, effective September 24, 2012. The criteria for ankylosis were not met at any time during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine disability and sleep apnea due to insufficient opinions from previous VA examiners. The Veteran's lay testimony regarding in-service injuries and symptoms will be considered.

The Veteran's claims for cervical spine disorder, eye disorder (secondary to TBI), bilateral hearing loss (secondary to TBI), and obstructive sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his back and neck disabilities has been granted. For the period from October 8, 2015 to June 12, 2016, he is entitled to a 40 percent rating for his back disability. For other periods, including from October 8, 2015 to February 9, 2020 and from April 1, 2020, the Veteran's claim was denied as his disabilities did not warrant a higher rating. The Veteran is also granted a 40 percent rating for his neck disability starting November 17, 2020.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to deficiencies in previous VA opinions and lack of contemporaneous medical records.

The Board has remanded both service connection claims for the Veteran's cervical spine disorder and left arm tingling/numbness. The reasons include inadequate findings in previous VA examinations, lack of continuity of symptoms between service discharge and post-service records, and need to consider the Veteran's lay assertions regarding his symptoms during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury is denied.,Service connection for the right shoulder disability, cervical spine disability (prior to October 6, 2020), and bilateral acquired pes planus with hallux valgus are also denied. The Veteran's GERD symptoms have been granted an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy and dengue fever residuals are being remanded due to the receipt of additional VA clinical documentation.

The Veteran's chronic cervical spine myofascitis with degenerative disc disease is found to be causally related to an in-service cervical spine injury, and service connection for this condition is granted.