Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding several disability ratings, effectively dismissing the cases.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine degenerative joint disease and lumbar strain were denied because he failed to report for the required VA examinations without good cause.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and intervertebral disc syndrome of the cervical spine have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for a cervical spine disability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an examination.

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

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on regular need for aid and attendance is remanded due to the lack of adequate contemporaneous medical examinations. The Board finds that new VA examinations are needed to assess the current state of his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to perform activities of daily living.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions, including service connection.

The Board has remanded three claims for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete service records.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine degenerative disc disease at C4-C6, finding that the current symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional medical records and a new VA examination. The issues include service connection for various disabilities, including knee and cervical spine conditions, as well as neurological and migraine headaches, all potentially related to his service-connected low back disability.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the Veteran died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his cervical spine and shoulder acromioclavicular joint disabilities is denied. The rating for the cervical spine disability remains at 30 percent, effective January 24, 2018.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and cervical spine disability have been remanded for further development.,Specifically, the issues of increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and cervical spine disability are being addressed.

The Board has remanded three increased rating claims and the TDIU claim due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The issues will be readjudicated based on all available evidence.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including additional VA examinations and studies to determine the current nature of the Veteran's conditions and their relationship to service. The issues include increased ratings for lumbar spine and cervical spine disorders, a rating increase for PTSD, a separate compensable rating for esophageal stricture, and service connection for erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70% disability rating.,Right ear hearing loss was not found to meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for left forearm disabilities due to deficiencies in the VA examinations of record. The case is returned to the AOJ for further development, including another VA examination.

The Veteran's left elbow bursitis is rated at 20 percent, effective prior to August 17, 2015. The Veteran's neck disability (cervical strain) is not service-connected.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability and hypertension as the evidence did not show these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, with a combined disability rating of 90 percent for her service-connected conditions. The Board found that the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities preclude all substantially gainful employment due to her migraines and psychiatric disability.