Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and opinion due to inaccuracies in the previous VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his claims for increased rating and service connection were not supported by the evidence of record. His neck disability is rated at 20 percent, but he did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The low back and left shoulder disabilities are also not service connected.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, including degenerative arthritis. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability warrants a rating of 40 percent, but no higher, effective March 3, 2017. The cervical spine disability has not warranted an increased rating at any time during the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and degenerative joint diseases in multiple areas of the body, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on this finding.

The Board denied service connection for cervical sprain/strain with degenerative disc disease as secondary to residuals of a low back injury with degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine.,The Board also denied service connection for glaucoma as secondary to residuals of a low back injury with degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that this rating does not meet the requirements for a TDIU due to the severity of his service-connected condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and cervical strain, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical strain with degenerative joint disease and associated radiculopathy of the upper extremities are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with previous directives and a need for an adequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed cervical spine and right shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions regarding his cervical spine disability, right leg disability, folliculitis, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and lumbar strain. The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding all listed issues, including the rating for migraine headaches and other conditions. The Board dismissed these appeals due to the withdrawal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a cervical spine disability due to inadequate nexus opinion and requests an addendum VA medical opinion. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection as her degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine was not related to her military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical spine and bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as his sciatica. The claims are being referred back for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence and need further examination or opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine, right elbow replacement, and bilateral pes planus disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include bipolar disorder and anxiety, is granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disability is also granted. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for IBS is dismissed. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current disabilities of the neck, upper back, and shoulders are related to service. The examiner should consider both medical and lay evidence in addressing whether the disabilities were caused by or incurred in service.

The Board denied service connection for a left upper extremity disability manifested by pain and numbness, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claim for increased ratings of hallux valgus of the left great toe and right great toe were also denied. The TDIU claim was denied as well.