Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran was granted TDIU prior to January 5, 2009, and from October 1, 2009, to October 6, 2013.,TDIU was denied from January 5, to September 30, 2009, and as of October 7, 2013.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to his service-connected right knee, left knee, and cervical spine disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected IVDS and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, as well as cervical spine DDD with IVDS, have been granted increased ratings. The specific conditions include right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, right lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve, and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve.

The Board has remanded the claims for a thoracolumbar spine disorder and cervical spine disorder due to issues with range of motion testing and unemployability.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine is granted a disability rating of 20 percent effective February 22, 2021. The other claims for increased ratings are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal conditions, including low back disability, neck disability, joint pain, right leg disability, left leg disability, and anemia claimed as fatigue. The remand requires additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions, with a focus on whether they are related to military service or other service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and SSA benefits application.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting medical opinions and a need for further development. The issues include lower back, neck, and left knee disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for both a cervical spine disability and a lumbosacral spine disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his active military service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for hypertension, essential tremors, and a cervical spine disability as the Veteran did not file an appeal within the required time frame.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient opinions regarding the Veteran's right ankle and neck disabilities. The GERD claim remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's disabilities of the cervical and thoracolumbar spine, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions were incurred during service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective date issues related to his service-connected herniated disc, lumbar spine are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his increased rating of 40 percent for service-connected herniated disc, lumbar spine is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the issue of a higher rating.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial ratings related to his degenerative disc disease, cervical spine are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for radiculopathy, middle radicular group, left upper extremity is being remanded as it requires additional development of his medical records.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for radiculopathy, sciatic nerve, left lower extremity is also being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Veteran's initial rating for bulging annulus fibrosus at C5-C6 and C6-C7 of the cervical spine was granted at a 10% level prior to July 2, 2007. From July 2, 2007 to July 17, 2007, he received a rating of 20%. For left shoulder impingement syndrome and degenerative arthritis, an initial evaluation of 20% was granted prior to May 23, 2016.

The Board has determined that an effective date prior to July 28, 2010 for the grant of service connection for residuals of left tibia stress fracture is denied. The Veteran's claim was not received as a formal or informal claim before this date.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for another medical opinion regarding the cause and aggravation of the Veteran's cervical spine condition by his service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development and clarification of evidence.,Specifically, additional medical opinions are required regarding the etiology of various conditions including cervical spine degenerative disc disease, lumbar spinal degenerative disc disease, right shoulder disorder, right hip disorder, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, fibromyalgia (Gulf War Illness), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) (Gulf War Illness), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (Gulf War Illness), and migraine headaches.

The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is granted service connection. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether the cervical spine disability is related to service, and thus grants service connection for this condition as well.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for cervical spine, left hip, thoracolumbar spine, and right lower extremity nerve disabilities due to secondary service connection. The Veteran's claims are not supported by evidence showing a direct link between her current conditions and active duty.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding various service connection claims, including for bilateral hearing loss, left arm condition, lumbar strain, left knee condition, left ankle condition, plantar fasciitis, anxiety condition, migraine headaches, jaw condition, lung condition, bronchitis, pneumonia, cervical strain, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, right arm condition, right wrist condition, left wrist condition, kidney stones, right hip condition, left hip condition, and right ankle condition. The appeals were dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his claims.