Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability, headache disability, and left shoulder disability. The decision finds that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to her active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 29, 2008 for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not show that he was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due solely to his service-connected conditions during this period.

The Veteran's service-connected musculoskeletal and associated neurological disabilities have rendered him physically incapable of meeting the demands of full-time employment, allowing for a TDIU effective prior to August 8, 2019.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his combined disability ratings do not meet the criteria for TDIU and there is insufficient evidence of record regarding his employment status.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence for service connection of various conditions, including cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, right knee disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorders. The Veteran needs to provide private treatment records related to these conditions.

The Veteran's cervical intervertebral disc disease is related to her military duties and has been granted service connection.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to their death.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back, neck, right leg disabilities and left thumb and index finger numbness. The decision resolves all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder strain, left shoulder strain, and cervical spine degenerative arthritis as these conditions are found to have started during the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be service-connected, with an effective date of March 21, 2017.,An earlier effective date of March 21, 2017 for the 40 percent rating assigned for lumbosacral strain and discogenic disease is granted.,Service connection for a gastrointestinal disability (claimed as diverticulosis) is remanded due to lack of evidence regarding its relationship with service-connected conditions.,Service connection for a prostate disability (claimed as prostate cancer) is remanded due to lack of evidence regarding its relationship with service-connected conditions.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, heart condition, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus are all remanded due to lack of evidence regarding their relationships with service-connected conditions.,Service connection for osteopenia is remanded due to lack of evidence regarding its relationship with service-connected conditions.,Service connection for a cervical spine disability is remanded due to lack of evidence regarding its relationship with service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for COPD, hypertension, and asbestosis due to new evidence received since the last final decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for his right shoulder, cervical spine, and right hand conditions. The Board found that these conditions are not related to any incident or injury during active service.

The Board has remanded the cases of cervical spine with degenerative disc disease and sleep apnea due to insufficient examination findings. The Veteran's claims for secondary service connection need further evaluation, as well as a determination on whether his sleep apnea is related to service.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the lumbosacral spine and cervical spine, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disability present during or within one year after active duty, and that current DJD is not otherwise causally related to service.

The Veteran's cervical spine DJD, RUE radiculopathy, and LUE radiculopathy were evaluated. The initial rating for cervical spine DJD was denied prior to May 6, 2017, but granted thereafter at a 30% rating. An increased rating of 40% was granted for RUE radiculopathy from November 21, 2019, and an initial 30% rating was granted for LUE radiculopathy from the same date.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to conflicting medical opinions regarding service connection for allergic rhinitis, cervical strain, and chronic fatigue syndrome.,For each issue, a new medical opinion is needed to determine if there is at least a 50% probability that the condition is related to service or caused by military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disability, specifically her September 2001 injury during ACDUTRA. The VA needs to obtain additional medical records and provide an updated opinion on whether the Veteran's current cervical spine disability is related to service.

The Veteran's increased rating for migraine headaches is granted, with a disability rating of 50 percent.,Service connection for right weak foot and left weak foot are denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating and an earlier effective date for his cervical spine disability was denied. The Board found that there was no intent to apply for benefits prior to October 20, 2014, and the medical evidence did not support an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected cervical strain is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and arranging for an addendum opinion from the January 2020 VA examiner.