Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, blepharitis, tension headaches, hypertension, right shoulder condition, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and cervical spine degenerative disc disease are remanded due to a duty to assist error. The Board requires VA to obtain all outstanding treatment records from the San Juan VAMC and request relevant psychiatric treatment records from Dr. M.R.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence was received after the August 2010 decision, warranting readjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for tension headaches and residuals cervical spine injury. The case is being remanded to obtain an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the etiology of these disabilities in relation to military service.

The Board has determined that the claims for headaches, neck condition (claimed as lower back condition), and right lower sciatica are remanded due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's representative asserts continuity of symptoms since active service. The claim for transient ischemic attacks is denied.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy (left and right) is denied.,Service connection for a bilateral feet condition is remanded.

The Veteran's right knee injury, neck condition, and radiculopathy of the right upper extremity are all granted. The right knee injury is granted as service-connected. For the neck condition, a 30 percent rating is granted from April 5, 2018, thereafter. For the radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, a 20 percent rating is granted from July 31, 2006, to April 4, 2018, and a higher rating is denied starting from April 5, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder with radicular symptoms is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for cervical spondylosis was denied. The Board found that the disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating greater than 10 percent prior to February 14, 2012 and greater than 20 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected lumbar spondylosis with degenerative changes at L5-S1, erectile dysfunction, headaches, cervical spondylosis with degenerative changes of the cervical spine at C4-C5, and right knee degenerative arthritis with medial meniscus tear are being remanded for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than January 27, 2015 for right calf atrophy with strain of muscle group XI and denied his increased rating claims for cervical spine spondylosis, lumbar degenerative disc disease, and radiculopathy. The ratings for these conditions were granted or maintained as appropriate.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate prior opinions and a need for further development, including an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck, hip, knee, ankle, and foot disabilities due to a lack of proper notification regarding scheduled examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and disability ratings have been dismissed due to the Veteran opting into a new review system.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a cervical spine disability, hypertension (HTN), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and bilateral ankle disability has been reopened. The evidence received since the last final decisions raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical fusion with arthritis on a presumptive basis, finding that the Veteran's neck pain is related to his in-service back injury and that continuity of symptomatology exists.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his service-connected cervical spine disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, lumbar spine disability, and scars. The issues of increased ratings are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical spine DDD and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy was granted. The appeal regarding an earlier effective date for TDIU and DEA is dismissed due to the invalid NOD filed by the Veteran.

The Veteran's cervical osteoarthritis has been granted service connection. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for additional development and medical opinions.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and acquired psychiatric disorder were denied service connection. The cervical spine disability was not found to be related to service or his service-connected bilateral pes planus, while the psychiatric disorder was not linked to service or his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the medical opinions and testimony regarding the cause of the Veteran's cervical spine disability. An addendum opinion is needed from a suitable medical examiner, focusing on whether the June 7, 1988 tractor accident predisposed the Veteran to sustaining a catastrophic injury during the June 25, 1988 diving accident.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's cervical spine disorder is caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities, including his lumbar spine disability and bilateral plantar fasciitis.