Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for a parathyroid disability, kidney disability, and degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, and bilateral knees. The Veteran's parathyroid disability is not related to his service or asbestos exposure.,The Veteran’s kidney disability was also not found to be related to his service or asbestos exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to inadequate examination opinions. The claims are not currently decided.

The Veteran's cervical radiculopathy of the right and left upper extremities is granted, with separate evaluations for each.,Both knee disorders remain at a 10 percent evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and further development is needed.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that the Veteran did not have a chronic condition during or within one year after service and there is no evidence linking his current condition to military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was rated at 10 percent prior to December 4, 2019 and denied for a higher rating. From December 4, 2019, the claim was denied as well.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 10 percent since the initial date of claim, effective June 8, 2019. The rating reflects painful motion due to degenerative arthritis without additional functional loss or impairment.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted at a rating of 20 percent, effective from the date of the appeal. The lumbar and knee disabilities remain rated as they were prior to the hearing.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that there is no evidence of onset during service or otherwise related to his military service. The Board also found that the current cervical spine condition is not secondary to his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Veteran was found to be unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities from November 25, 2008 to September 10, 2019. The Board granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of multiple service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development to obtain VA treatment records, including fee emergency room documentation and physical therapy records from September 2013 and September 2015.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at a maximum of 50 percent, which represents the highest schedular rating available. The cervical and thoracolumbar strain issues have been remanded for additional development.

The Board has denied service connection for a cervical disability. The right knee, left knee, bilateral flatfeet, and sleep apnea issues have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for neck and low back disabilities, finding that these conditions are as likely as not caused by stress injuries sustained during her military service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted an initial rating of 30 percent, effective August 21, 1998. The lumbar spine disability remains at a 20 percent rating.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's cervical spine disability prior to January 8, 2020 and a rating in excess of 30 percent thereafter. The decision found that the Veteran's forward flexion was limited to less than 15 degrees during flare-ups.

The Veteran's neck disability is now rated at 30 percent, effective October 17, 2018. His back disability remains rated at 20 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and remanded the issue of entitlement to a compensable rating for scalp folliculitis.

The Board dismissed all the appeals for service connection due to the Veteran's death.