Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding secondary service connection for a neck disability and because it is inextricably intertwined with the temporary total evaluation claim. The case will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for headaches prior to November 21, 2020 was denied as the evidence did not indicate very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for cervical spine disability prior to November 21, 2020 was denied as the evidence did not indicate incapacitating episodes or forward flexion less than 15 degrees.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a neck condition is being remanded due to the need for an addendum medical opinion addressing whether his current neck conditions are caused by or aggravated by his service-connected shoulder disabilities.

The Board has found that additional evidence was obtained after the issuance of previous statements of the case, and thus, a supplemental statement of the case must be issued.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent for painful motion, but the Board finds that there has been substantial compliance with its remand directives and reiterates this decision.,Service connection remains in dispute for bipolar disorder, neck disability, right elbow disability, and skin disability. The Veteran's TDIU claim prior to August 25, 2016 is also pending.

The Board denied service connection for cervical dysplasia and COPD, finding that the Veteran's current conditions were not related to her military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings for various disabilities require additional development due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's current neck disability is aggravated by his service-connected right hand disabilities. The VA must obtain additional treatment records and provide a new opinion on this issue.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records from Moody Air Force Base.

The Board has found that the remand directives were not substantially complied with and thus the claims for service connection are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disability, finding that his current condition is not related to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's initial rating for residuals of thoracic sprain and cervical sprain remains denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula.,For migraine headaches, an initial rating of 50% has been granted but no higher.

The Veteran's neck disability is found to have started during her military service, and she has been granted service connection for it.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of sufficient severity to produce unemployability prior to October 7, 2020. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of TDIU prior to this date and grants the claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine condition, finding no nexus between his current disability and military service.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is currently rated at 20 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to limited forward flexion.

The Board has remanded the issue of whether the Veteran's cervical spine disorder is service-connected, as it was not adequately addressed in the previous examinations. The case will be returned for further development and an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, but his right ankle disability does not warrant an extraschedular rating. The claims for sleep apnea and entitlement to an extraschedular TDIU are remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and that any current condition is not related to his military service.,The Board also found that the Veteran's headaches are not related to his military service. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran had pre-existing headaches prior to service.