Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's cervical spine condition was pre-existing and not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a bilateral elbow condition, bilateral foot condition, cervical strain, lumbosacral strain, left knee degenerative arthritis, sinusitis, and migraine condition are denied. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against these claims.,Service connection for a bilateral elbow condition (claimed as joint pains) is denied because there is no current disability. Service connection for a bilateral foot condition, including plantar fasciitis, is denied due to lack of in-service incurrence and continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left hand numbness, right hand numbness, and sinusitis due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran's symptoms need further evaluation by a VA examiner.

The Board denied the petitions to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions, including left wrist fracture, bilateral knee and foot disabilities, back disability, neck disability, and bilateral shin disability. The evidence did not show that these conditions were incurred or aggravated in service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and traumatic brain injury are being remanded due to incomplete evaluations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for cervical spine and right shoulder disorders, finding that an adequate etiology opinion was not provided. The Veteran's reports of in-service injuries are to be considered.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death, finding that his service-connected conditions did not contribute to his death. The evidence showed no severe cardiac symptoms or episodes prior to death and the autopsy and death certificates indicated pulmonary complications as the immediate cause of death.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's cervical spine disability is related to her service-connected lumbar spine disability, and whether her headaches are secondary to her cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his left shoulder and cervical spine disabilities has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's accrued benefits claim for anxiety disorder has been granted at a 70% rating. The VA is remanding the cases of cervical spine disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, and hypertension for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and consideration due to procedural errors in previous decisions.

The Veteran's service-connected neck disability and associated left upper extremity radiculopathy do not meet the requirements for a TDIU as his combined rating is less than 60%.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, finding that it did not manifest in service or is otherwise related to his military service or to his service-connected disability.

The Board has denied service connection for neck disability and sexual dysfunction. The claims are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss. The remaining claims of increased ratings for COPD, neck scar, and service connection for left ear hearing loss, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and sleep apnea are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn for the claim of an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to May 1, 2018 and in excess of 70 percent thereafter. The Veteran’s scar from inguinal hernia surgery is rated at 10%. Other claims are being remanded.,The Veteran's fibromyalgia, cervical arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, and headaches (secondary to PTSD) are all pending and need further evaluation.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective March 29, 2004 on an extraschedular basis due to his inability to work since October 2000.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was denied for ratings in excess of 10 percent prior to January 2, 2009 and for a rating in excess of 20 percent from that date.

The Board has remanded the claims due to inadequate VA examinations and insufficient medical opinions.,The Veteran asserts that his conditions are related to service or secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.