Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disorder and whether it is related to service or his service-connected right shoulder condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back and cervical spine conditions due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder did not have its onset during service or is related to military service. The claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, including as secondary to a lumbar spine disorder, was denied.

The claims of service connection for various conditions, including TBI, seizure disorder, lower back disability, and others are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to his failure to report for VA examinations and the need for updated treatment records. The claims will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of left ear hearing loss is dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for tinnitus.

The Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine disorder, cleat injury to the left side, and lumbar spine disorder are not service-connected.,Service connection for frostbite of the bilateral lower extremities is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are remanded due to the need for updated examinations and consideration of all his symptoms. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with his current increased rating claims.

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

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right arm radiculopathy due to degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine was granted with an effective date of July 22, 2014. The rating for his degenerative arthritis right hip and small labral cysts remains at 10 percent. His initial increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine with degenerative disc disease is also granted.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the Veteran withdrew it prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is not found to be secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine and/or knee disabilities. The Board also denied the claim for TDIU prior to July 31, 2010.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a service connection for neck condition, to include as secondary to service-connected right shoulder disability. Further development is required.

The Veteran withdrew all of the issues on appeal, including those related to service connection for various disabilities. The Board has no further jurisdiction in these matters.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's carpal bone dislocations of the left wrist and right wrist do not warrant higher ratings than 20 percent and 30 percent, respectively. The Court has ordered a remand due to an inadequate statement of reasons or bases for these determinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and right knee disability have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left shoulder, right shoulder, left and right ankle, and cervical spine disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations and failure to discuss certain issues.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU has been dismissed as he is already receiving the maximum combined rating for his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability is remanded for another examination to determine the current severity of his condition, including addressing functional loss due to flare-ups and pain.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, and an updated Supplemental Statement of the Case must be issued for consideration.