Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's neck and back conditions, finding that they are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

An effective date of March 25, 2009 is granted for the assignment of a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's right knee chondromalacia patella was rated at 10 percent since March 25, 2009.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal, leaving no issues remaining for review.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons or bases for denying a separate disability rating for radiculopathy. The Veteran's cervical strain and radiculopathy need further examination.

The Veteran's cervical spine osteoarthritis and retrolisthesis were not rated higher than 10 percent prior to July 19, 2012.,From July 19, 2012 to September 16, 2013, the Veteran was granted a 10 percent rating for his cervical spine osteoarthritis and retrolisthesis.,Since April 1, 2015, the Veteran's disability has been rated at 30 percent due to unfavorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine.,The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating since April 1, 2015.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's cervical spine disability should be re-evaluated due to potential worsening of symptoms, and a new VA examination is required.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's neck disability, finding that it is proximately due to an injury in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and incomplete records. The issues of service connection for various disabilities, including a cervical spine disability, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss disability, will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to obtain medical opinions regarding the Veteran's cervical spine, right shoulder, and left shoulder disabilities. The TDIU issue is also being remanded.

All previously denied claims for service connection have been dismissed.,A noncompensable rating has been granted for bilateral ankle sprains since June 3, 2005.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn for several conditions, and the issue of service connection for diabetes mellitus is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral shoulder, knee, back, and ankle disabilities due to new evidence potentially related to service. The Veteran is requested to provide additional medical records or undergo a VA examination if necessary.

Service connection has been granted for a right shoulder disability, low back disability, neck disability, and psychiatric disability (depressive disorder).,The effective date of the service connection is November 15, 2016.

The Veteran's increased rating for bilateral hearing loss appeal has been withdrawn.,Service connection is granted for cervical spine degenerative arthritis, left knee arthritis, and right shoulder degenerative joint disease. Service connection is also remanded for left ankle arthritis and a bilateral foot condition.,Service connection is granted for left knee arthritis.,Service connection is granted for right shoulder degenerative joint disease.,Service connection is granted for left ankle arthritis.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim for service connection for sciatica of the left lower extremity as she withdrew her appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and lumbar spine were denied as there was no evidence of a service-connected disability or exposure to Agent Orange, Camp Lejeune, or other known risk factors. The effective dates for these grants are April 15, 2014.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension, initial increased rating for degenerative joint disease of the right knee, and a neck disability. The Veteran's current diagnoses are not related to his military service.

The Veteran has withdrawn all appeals regarding higher initial disability ratings for various orthopedic conditions.,No new evidence or changes in the Veteran's condition have been presented, and no further development is required.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA opinion in July 2017, and a new VA examination is required to determine if the Veteran's current cervical spine disability was incurred during service.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine disability, headaches, basal cell carcinoma of the right eyelid, and Asperger’s syndrome with anxiety and depression. The effective date is not specified.