Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication, including obtaining missing VA examination reports. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a cervical spine disability affecting his neck (other than DDD), an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, and service connection for a left knee disability.

The Board has denied service connection for a neck disability and remanded the issue of entitlement to a higher rating for acne keloidalis involving the back of the scalp.

The Veteran's initial rating for L2 compression fracture with lumbosacral strain was denied, and his increased rating for cervical spine degenerative arthritis prior to May 14, 2019, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter was granted.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 are remanded due to the need for additional medical records and further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disorders as secondary to her service-connected left ankle disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a finding of direct or secondary service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including cervical and lumbar spine conditions, pes planus, radiculopathies of the upper and lower extremities, and left ankle sprain, are found to preclude her from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board grants a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for insomnia and remanded his increased rating claim for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, their service connection remains pending as they are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder (claimed as a neck condition), including degenerative disc disease and arthritis, finding that the current disability did not manifest in service or for many years thereafter and is unrelated to an injury or incident of service.

The Veteran's service connection for a bilateral arm disability, cervical spine disability, and left testicular prosthesis status post orchiectomy with right testicle atrophy have been granted. The Veteran is also entitled to an increased rating of 30% for his residuals of left testicular prosthesis status post orchiectomy and testicular carcinoma with right testicle atrophy as of August 3, 2015.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to his service-connected PTSD and is considered a separate disability.,The Veteran's left knee arthritis was not shown as chronic in service, did not manifest within the applicable presumptive period, and is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,There is no evidence of record that links the current neck disability to active service. The disability is considered a separate condition from his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's dizziness was not shown as chronic in service and is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee arthritis and cervical spine arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his periods of active duty. The appeal regarding sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected cervical laminectomy with facetectomy is being remanded due to the need for an adequate VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn regarding the right ankle fracture. The Board has remanded cases for further examination and review of medical records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete development and the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, heart disorder, skin disorder of the feet, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's service connection claims for low back pain and herniated disc at L4-L5, as well as cervical DDD, were denied because the evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.,There was no direct evidence linking the current diagnoses to service. The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s current back disability may be due to post-military weight-lifting injury.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the Veteran's current condition and his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for reopening service connection for psychiatric disorder and neck disability, both secondary to a service-connected disability, are remanded due to procedural issues. The VA is also instructed to schedule the Veteran for examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected low back, sciatic nerve impingement, and bilateral hearing loss disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and further development is required.