Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, including cervical disc disease with radiculopathy, is related to his in-service injury. However, the VA examiner did not provide an adequate rationale for linking the current cervical disc disease to the in-service cervical strain. Therefore, a new examination is needed.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, and lumbosacral spine disability due to new evidence showing these disabilities may be related to active service. The claims are granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and cervical spine disabilities have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA examination.

The Board has granted a separate 20 percent rating for radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, but denied a higher rating for cervical spine disability.

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder as secondary to the Veteran's right knee disability.,Service connection for migraine headaches is also granted as secondary to the now service-connected depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical degenerative disc disease, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and right shoulder strain was dismissed.,Effective dates prior to February 6, 2014 were denied for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and opinions, specifically regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities. The Veteran is required to be provided with new VA examinations to determine the nature, extent, and severity of his spinal conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disorders, finding that there is no evidence of a causal relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding increased ratings and entitlement to special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has denied service connection for a neck disability due to an in-service fall, but granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss as likely related to noise exposure during military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and clarification of employment history.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of various disabilities, including neck disability, right hip disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and right foot disability. The evidence submitted since previous denials does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected memory problems are now considered. The Board has ordered a VA aid and attendance examination to assess if all his disabilities require regular assistance.

The Veteran's cervical spine and lumbar spine conditions are found to have started during her active duty service, leading to a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities have been rated based on their current functional limitations, with the highest rating of 10% for both conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for neck disability, myofascial pain syndrome, head pain (including headaches), cervical paraspinal muscle spasms, and occipital neuralgia due to insufficient examination reports addressing all relevant evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for neck and back disabilities due to an in-service injury. The initial compensable rating claim for squamous cell carcinoma of the right upper back remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rate of special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ was denied.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination. The Veteran's cervical spine disability is being reviewed, but more information is needed from his service records and medical history.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for lower back pain and cervical spine strain. The evidence submitted since the last final denial supports a finding that these conditions are related to service, including a fall in 2001 and an injury in 2003. Service connection is granted for both conditions.