Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has denied service connection for various disabilities, including right lower extremity radiculopathy, left leg disability, right leg disability, arthritis, tendonitis, neck disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy. The decision also notes that the Veteran's right knee disability is not service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA vocational rehabilitation records and treatment records from Camp Lejeune Naval Hospital. The Veteran also needs an addendum opinion regarding his bilateral shoulder and knee disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the cases of cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities due to insufficient discussion in previous VA medical opinions regarding the Veteran's statements about his service-related injuries. The case is now pending for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's nose/sinus disability (claimed as allergies) and COPD are remanded for further examination.,The Veteran's hypertension is remanded for further examination.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded for further examination.,The Veteran's perforated right eardrum, bilateral shin splints, left arm skin lesion, and cervical spine disability are all remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's arthritis of the cervical spine and radiculopathy of the right upper extremity are granted service connection due to aggravation by a service-connected condition. The Veteran's insomnia is remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the claim can be adjudicated, and thus remanded for further medical development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including anxiety disorder, mood disorder, and multiple physical conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. As such, the Board has granted his claim for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine conditions. The VA examiner did not consider the Veteran's lay contentions about a head injury during service and its impact on his current condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for cervical spine and radiculopathy disabilities, as well as headaches due to lack of recent VA examinations. The Veteran is also being provided an opportunity for a new examination.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition, diagnosed as degenerative changes and muscle spasm, was granted service connection.,Service connection for bilateral pes cavus with plantar fasciitis is denied. The Veteran's disability rating remains at 30 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining inpatient treatment records from his active duty and post-service VA treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, and neck disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for hernia prior to December 14, 2020 is granted at a 10 percent level. The appeal for a higher rating after that date is denied. Service connection for the cervical spine disability secondary to left shoulder disability is also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for ocular migraines. The remaining issues of right leg, left leg, cervical spine (neck pain), and right shoulder conditions are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's speech disability is remanded due to its potential connection to a stroke. The ratings for her shoulder disabilities, radiculopathy, and hernia are also remanded as the evidence suggests worsening symptoms. Her TDIU claim is remanded as it involves employment issues.

The Veteran's tension headaches have not been productive of characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in two months over the last several months.,For the period prior to August 7, 2020, the Veteran's cervical spine disability was not productive of incapacitating episodes due to intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), ankylosis, forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, combined range of motion limited to 170 degrees or less, muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour, or the functional equivalent thereof.,From August 7, 2020, the Veteran's cervical spine disability has not been productive of forward flexion limited to 15 degrees or less, ankylosis, incapacitating episodes as defined by VA regulation, or the functional equivalent thereof.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct link between his in-service accident and his current condition. The Board also found insufficient medical opinion supporting a secondary service connection based on his other service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his cervical spine disability is denied as the evidence does not show unfavorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is denied as the evidence does not show unfavorable ankylosis of the entire cervical or thoracolumbar spine.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination opinions regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disability and its relationship to his service-connected lumbar spine disability, as well as the Veteran's in-service diagnosis of cervical thoracic scoliosis.