Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2020

The Board dismissed the appeal for a higher disability rating for service-connected cervical spine strain due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination findings and outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran's cervical spine disability is being evaluated again for an increased rating.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for a higher rating for adjustment disorder with depression, anxiety, and somatic symptom disorder. The Veteran's condition continues to cause significant impairment in work and social functioning.

The Board denied service connection for neck condition, low back strain, and left arm condition (secondary to neck condition) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability before May 20, 2014. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities include asbestos-related plaques, degenerative disc disease of the cervical and lumbar spine, rhabdomyolysis (right and left lower extremities), and tinnitus.

The Board has decided to remand the issues of hearing loss, left ear; service connection for hearing loss, right ear; and DDD cervical spine with IVDS. The case will be returned to the Board after compliance with all necessary actions.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for heterotopic ossification of the tibia with osteochondroma, lumbar and thoracic spine conditions, and cervical spine degenerative disc disease due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is related to his active service, including an in-service motor vehicle accident and/or firearm injury. His liver cyst is also being remanded for a medical opinion on its relationship to his active service.,The Veteran's TDIU rating claim is being remanded as final adjudication of the cervical spine disability and liver cyst claims could affect his employability status.

The Board denied service connection for OSA, finding that the Veteran's disability is not etiologically related to his active service.,The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that the Veteran's disability is not etiologically related to his active service.,The Board denied service connection for spondylotic myelopathy, finding that it is not due to his active service.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine condition, left wrist disorder, and lumbar spine disability due to lack of new and relevant evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The cervical strain was rated at 20% and the thoracolumbar strain was also rated at 20%. Service connection for psychiatric disorders, radiculopathy of upper extremities, and radiculopathy of lower extremities were all denied.

The Veteran's right foot disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, which is the maximum rating available under VA regulations. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,There is no credible evidence to support the Veteran’s claim of in-service injury or disease related to his cervical spine disorder and lumbar spine disorder.

The Board denied service connection for Tourette's syndrome and cervical spondylosis, finding that the Veteran's conditions preexisted service and were not aggravated by it.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations provided for the Veteran's leg, hip, heel/foot, back, and neck disabilities were inadequate. Additional development is required to address these claims due to the lack of a proper nexus opinion regarding the etiology of the claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's cervical spine disability is related to a motor vehicle accident during his Reserve service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left arm (including elbow) arthritis, right arm (including elbow) arthritis, left shoulder arthritis, right shoulder arthritis, left hand arthritis, and right hand arthritis due to inadequate medical opinions.,Further development is needed to address the Veteran's lay contentions regarding continuous symptoms.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical back condition and gastrointestinal disorder due to issues with the medical opinions provided in prior examinations. The Veteran is required to undergo further examination to determine if her conditions are related to service.