Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected cervical spine disability has been denied. The disability is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum under the General Rating Formula for Diseases or Injuries of the Spine.

The Veteran's appeal as to service connection for a left shoulder disorder is dismissed. The Board has remanded the remaining issues of service connection and rating for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine disability and right upper extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding functional loss over time and during flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for herniated disc and cervical fusion due to unclear dates of active duty, incomplete service medical records, and a need for further examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for a thyroid condition (hyperthyroidism and Graves Disease) and a cervical spine condition. These issues are being remanded due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations.,Regarding the Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating of 100 percent for PTSD, her symptoms have been found to warrant such a rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU are being remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear and left ear hearing loss due to lack of current disability. The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and adjustment disorder, is remanded as there are issues regarding the in-service stressor and the need for a formal opinion with rationale.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was denied as not related to service or any other condition.,Service connection for GERD, secondary to PTSD, is remanded due to insufficient medical records regarding the impact of PTSD on GERD.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including left hand, right shoulder, neck, lower back, and left knee disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current bilateral foot disorder is related to his in-service injury from parachute jumps. The cervical, lumbar spine, knee, shoulder, and elbow disorders are remanded for additional medical opinions considering the Veteran's assertions about injuries sustained during parachute jumps.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for hearing loss of the left ear, service connection for sleep apnea, and service connection for cervical spine condition. The evidence did not support granting any of these claims.

The Board denied service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) of the cervical spine, finding that there is no evidence linking the condition to service or any known clinical diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a neck disability, including as secondary to the service-connected back disability, and for a temporary total evaluation based on December 2016 neck surgery. The claims are being remanded due to an inadequate June 2017 VA opinion that did not address aggravation.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for cervical spine disc bulging, C3-4 and left arm disability due to outstanding VA treatment records and further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to deficiencies in the May 2009 and April 2015 examination reports, specifically regarding pain levels, range of motion, and whether there is ankylosis. The Veteran will need addendum opinions addressing these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, low back strain, cervical strain, right ankle strain, tinnitus, eczema, and headaches, render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for atopic dermatitis, left tennis elbow, and left eye condition (condition of the cornea) were granted with effective dates prior to October 18, 2012.,Service connection was denied for fibromyalgia, low back pain, arthritis also claimed as joint pain (cervical spine, bilateral shoulder, bilateral knee and bilateral ankles), and respiratory problems and asthma.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability, finding that the evidence did not show unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes requiring physician-prescribed bed rest.