Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for their service-connected lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities were denied. The lumbar spine disability was rated at 10 percent prior to June 25, 2018, and increased to 40 percent effective June 25, 2018. The cervical spine disability remained at a 10 percent rating throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's cervical spine, left shoulder, multiple scars, and lumbar spine disabilities have been granted initial ratings of 20 percent each. The right hip disability, radiculopathy associated with the cervical and lumbar spine, and a right knee disability are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an examination related to the Veteran's cervical spine disability. The Veteran contends that his current condition is related to service, but there is no evidence in the record indicating a preexisting condition upon entry into service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck, back, right shoulder, right arm neurological, and right hand neurological disabilities due to outstanding VA and private treatment records not being obtained. The Veteran is also required to provide updated Army Reserve service personnel and service treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disorders, as well as his upper extremity radicular pain and paresthesias, were not incurred or aggravated during active service.,Further evaluation is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his cervical spine disability was denied, but he received an earlier effective date of December 2, 2015, for the grant of TDIU (Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability).

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's current cervical spine disability was incurred during service, within one year of service separation, or is otherwise related to any event or injury in service. The appeal for service connection for this condition is being remanded.

The Board has ordered remand for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's left foot drag, service connection for traumatic arthritis of the cervical spine, and service connection for traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine. The issues are also remanded for a determination on special monthly compensation.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate rationale in a previous VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's cervical spine disability is secondary to his service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection were denied. The Veteran was granted a 40% rating for his cervical spine disability, but the claim for an increased rating is still pending. Service connection for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various knee, cervical spine, and foot disabilities were denied. The Board found that the current 10 percent ratings assigned for right and left knee osteoarthritis, as well as the cervical spine disability, are appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is now rated at 40 percent from February 25, 2017.,The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is now rated at 30 percent from February 25, 2017.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for cervical spine disorder and lumbar spine disorder have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical strain and a skin condition due to an undiagnosed illness, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted with a rating of 20 percent effective October 18, 2013. The issue of service connection for cervical neck strain has been reopened and granted.

The Veteran's service-connected DDD lumbar spine, cervical spine, left and right medial tibial stress syndrome, bilateral hearing loss, and hypertension are being remanded for further evaluation to determine their current severity.

The Veteran's service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Board granted a TDIU based on the benefit-of-the-doubt doctrine, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of cervical spine disability, finding that it is not etiologically related to military service and did not manifest within one year of separation from active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine and osteoarthritis of the cervical spine with foraminal stenosis and intervertebral disc syndrome. The other conditions were denied as they are not attributable to service.