Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between current disability and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are not related to his time in service, and therefore denied both claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if service connection can be established for bilateral hearing loss and a neck disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including sleep disorder, arches disability, right shoulder disability, hypertension, cervical spine disability, left knee disability (knee strain), and headaches have all been denied. The Board found no current disabilities related to service or secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for further development due to incomplete VA treatment records and need for a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's neck disability and left upper extremity nerve condition.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, PTSD, is remanded as there are conflicting opinions regarding its onset and relationship to service. Service connection for a neck disability and headaches is also remanded. Service connection for vertigo remains in dispute.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD disability was at least as likely as not (50 percent probability or greater) initially manifested during service and is otherwise related to his service, including documented low back pain and a reported Humvee accident. The effective date for the assignment of a 70 percent rating for PTSD is granted from July 21, 2016. The claims for neck disability, right knee disability, and low back pain are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to outstanding private treatment records.

The Veteran's cervical spine disease is granted service connection, and his right knee chondromalacia appeal for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent is dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy and cervical spine disability, finding no evidence of a nexus to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for cervical spine disability, left upper extremity disability (left hand), and right upper extremity disability (right wrist fracture residuals) have been denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against finding these disabilities began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine strain and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine were denied. The Veteran was not granted any new or material evidence to reopen his service connection claim.

The Veteran's bilateral breast calcification, claimed as fibrocystic breast disability, is granted service connection. The issues of hypertension, urinary hesitancy, ovarian cyst disability, TMJ disorder, and other disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, including disc disease, disc herniation, radiculopathy and spondylosis. The decision finds that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his military service due to in-service onset of symptoms.

The Veteran's DDD of the cervical spine was initially rated at 10 percent from July 21, 2003 to July 9, 2010. The rating was increased to 20 percent from July 9, 2010 to August 31, 2011 and then to 30 percent from September 1, 2011 to February 6, 2014.,Effective March 5, 2021, the Veteran was granted a 20 percent disability rating for DDD of the cervical spine with spinal fusion.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of a cervical spine disability due to inadequate opinions provided in previous examinations. The Veteran is required to undergo another VA examination and provide etiological opinions on direct, secondary, and aggravation bases.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for degenerative disc disease (DDD) cervical spine remains at 10 percent, as her range of motion does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula.

The Veteran's vocational goal of employment is not reasonably feasible due to his service-connected neck disability and other disabilities, which have resulted in significant physical health issues. The Board found that the services requested by the Veteran are not necessary for him to live more independently.

An initial rating of 100 percent for PTSD is granted, subject to the laws and regulations governing the payment of monetary benefits.,Service connection for a cervical spine disability due to an improvised explosive device (IED) blast is denied.