Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's initial compensable and increased rating claims for a cervical spine disorder have been denied. The claim is being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the inextricability of his service connection claims for back and cervical spine conditions. The case will be held in abeyance until these issues are resolved.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his cervical spine disability was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected, and his head disability (TBI), neck disability, low back disability, heart disability, type 2 diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction are denied.

The Veteran's initial ratings for cervical spine disability and major depressive disorder were denied, with the cervical spine rating remaining at 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to increased ratings for thoracolumbar and cervical spine disorders, as well as service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.

The Board denied service connection for a right hand condition, a right hip condition, and a left hip condition. The lumbar spine and cervical spine conditions were remanded.,Service connection was also denied for an acquired psychiatric condition including major depression, panic disorder with agoraphobia, and posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete examination regarding the Veteran's cervical spine strain, and an addendum opinion is required.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine disability needs to be remanded due to incomplete records. The case will need to be reviewed with additional medical evidence from VA facilities in Coatesville, Pennsylvania.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disorder, left hip disorder, right hip disorder, left thigh disorder, and right thigh disorder due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for a cervical spine disability and cystitis cystica are remanded due to the need for new VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's pre-existing cervical spine condition was aggravated by his service. The Veteran contends that his condition worsened during service, but the VA examiner found no clear and unmistakable aggravation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including cervical fusion and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of December 28, 2011.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a chronic cervical spine disorder, finding that there was no evidence showing it began during or within one year after his active service.

The Board has remanded several claims, including those related to polycystic ovary syndrome, right arm disability, right elbow bursitis, chronic otitis externa, duodenal ulcers, and other conditions. The Veteran is also required to submit a completed application for increased compensation based on unemployability (VA Form 21-8940).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities are being remanded due to the need for clarification on the status of his diagnosed ankylosis.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including scheduling VA examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities and assessing their current severity. The issues are being remanded due to failure to schedule necessary VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA orthopedic examination.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for various service-connected conditions were denied. The lumbar sprain and cervical spine degenerative arthritis prior to August 24, 2011 are rated at 20 percent each, but not higher. Other conditions have been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia, cervical DDD, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy as secondary to cervical DDD, and bilateral and central polyradiculopathy of the lower extremities. The effective date is set at November 28, 2006.