Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected back and neck disabilities render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's neck injury residuals, including his degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine. The claim was based on continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spondylosis and lumbosacral strain.,Service connection is also granted for sleep apnea, but only on a secondary basis to the Veteran's service-connected traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examination reports and incomplete medical opinions. The Veteran is required to provide updated VA treatment records, submit any positive private medical opinions, and undergo a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine, cervical spine, left shoulder strain, and PTSD rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation during the specified periods.

The Board has denied compensation for right trochanter fracture, thoracolumbar spine disorder, and cervical spine disorder under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to the lack of evidence showing that these conditions were caused by VA care.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition is not related to service and the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that it began during active duty.,There is no evidence of peptic ulcer disease in service or at any time since, thus service connection cannot be established.,Throughout the appeal period, the Veteran experienced frequent headaches but there were no prostrating attacks. The current evaluation for headaches remains denied.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy was not manifested by severe symptoms prior to November 27, 2019 and has been granted a compensable evaluation since then. Service connection is denied before that date.,Erectile dysfunction has not been shown to be related to service or any other condition. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction claim remains denied.,Service connection for lumbar strain, L5-S1 grade I spondylolisthesis was denied as the evidence does not show unfavorable ankylosis of the entire lumbar spine or IVDS with incapacitating episodes.,The Veteran’s GERD, gastritis, and hiatal hernia have been granted a compensable evaluation. Service connection is denied for these conditions prior to February 13, 2015 and in excess of 50 percent disabling thereafter.,Service connection for allergic rhinitis has not been established as the evidence does not show nasal polyps or significant obstruction of both nostrils.,Sinusitis was granted a compensable evaluation prior to February 13, 2015. Service connection is denied in excess of 50 percent disabling thereafter.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck disability, right hand arthritis, bilateral ankle arthritis, and left-hand arthritis. The decision found that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his failure to appear for scheduled VA examinations, and now requests additional private medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and inadequate opinions regarding whether his current cervical spine disability and lumbar radiculopathy are proximately caused or aggravated by his service-connected thoracic spine condition.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to February 9, 2017 is denied as he was employed full-time as a corrections officer at that time. The Board finds the VA examinations conducted in August and March 2015 inadequate due to lack of consideration of all procurable data and potential functional loss during flare-ups.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities effective October 27, 2012. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted and others not.

The Veteran's cervical strain, arthritis, and IVDS with radiculopathy of bilateral upper extremities are not service-connected. The VA examiners found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for neck, right shoulder, and left hip disabilities due to conflicting evidence and outstanding records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed cervical spine disability. The case will be returned for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a clinician.

The Veteran is granted an initial rating of 30 percent for his cervical spine disability prior to January 8, 2018 (excluding a period of temporary total evaluation from May 26, 2016 to June 20, 2016).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including neck, hip, leg, knee, and ankle conditions. The claims are being returned to VA for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to provide adequate assistance in obtaining private medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 70 percent for bipolar disorder with alcohol abuse, a rating in excess of 20 percent for a cervical spine disability, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The claims are being remanded for additional examinations and consideration.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine has been granted. The Veteran is now rated at 10 percent for the thoracolumbar spine from February 4, 2004 to October 29, 2004, and at 40 percent for the cervical spine beginning August 9, 2007.