Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities make it impossible for him to secure and maintain gainful employment, so a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's previously denied claims of service connection for various disabilities, including thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, pelvic disability, bilateral knee disability, left arm disability, and left foot disability. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability and a left shoulder disability, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active military service.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc and joint disease, including radiculopathy, is granted as service-connected.,Secondary service connection for right upper extremity neuropathy is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations, as well as for obtaining VA and private treatment records. The Veteran also needs a statement of the case issued regarding his migraine headaches and anxiety disorder claims.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine disability, right hip arthritis, left hip arthritis, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and a depressive disorder), right knee disability, and left knee disability have been granted. The claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities are still pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records and further development of the claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine disability, right knee partial medial meniscectomy and medial plica excision, right long finger disability, left thumb disability, and right thumb disability due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran is advised that he must cooperate with VA in obtaining evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities, are being remanded due to the passage of time and the indication of worsening symptoms. The RO is instructed to obtain updated VA treatment records and schedule the Veteran for examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's TBI and its residuals, including headaches, blurred vision, dizziness, and cervical spine disorder. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which are believed to be related to an in-service HUMVEE accident. A new examination is needed to determine if there is a link between his current symptoms and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for neck, lumbar spine, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations and conflicting opinions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and readjudication due to procedural errors in previous decisions. The issues include higher staged initial ratings for PTSD, service connection for a cervical spine disability, service connection for sleep apnea, and TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional information and VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck disability and left leg disability due to incomplete evidence, including missing medical records from Imperial Point Medical Center. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a neck disability, radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities, or dermatitis of the right elbow (claimed as skin rash) due to service.,The preponderance of evidence shows that these conditions are not related to military service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for obstructive sleep apnea, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, psychiatric disabilities, cervical spine disability, right shoulder disability, nasal fracture residuals, left hand disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, headache, sinus disability, tinnitus, and erectile dysfunction. The Board also remanded the issue of an initial compensable rating for herpes simplex.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss and PTSD. The Veteran's current disability ratings remain unchanged.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including cervical and lumbar spine disorders, bilateral shoulder and hip disabilities, a left knee disability, tinnitus, traumatic brain injury residuals, and erectile dysfunction, have prevented him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted TDIU based on the combined rating of 90%.

The Veteran's appeal for higher disability ratings and TDIU has been dismissed due to the Veteran's attorney withdrawing the claims before a decision was made.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for cervical spine degenerative disc disease with chronic muscle spasms has been dismissed due to the appellant withdrawing his request for a personal hearing and the appeal itself.