Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and cervical strain disabilities were denied increased ratings prior to the specified dates.,Effective date requests for TDIU and DEA benefits were also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of her service-connected lumbar spine, cervical spine, and knee disabilities have been denied due to the failure to appear at scheduled VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his conditions do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for dental conditions and bilateral eye condition are denied. The issues of initial rating for cervical spine DDD, lumbar strain, and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The appeals for other conditions and issues were dismissed due to withdrawal of appeal.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent, effective as of the date of this decision. The right knee disability remains rated at 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for DDD of the lumbar spine and cervical spine, and an initial disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD.

The Veteran's forehead scar is granted service connection. The issues of service connection for head injuries and cervical spine disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran was granted a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) beginning October 1, 2005. The appeal period began in June 2005 and the Veteran meets the schedular criteria for an award of TDIU during this entire period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine condition and cervical spine condition have been reopened, and both conditions are now granted.,Service connection has also been established for right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the lumbar spine condition.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's neck condition, right upper extremity neuropathy, and left upper extremity neuropathy as secondary to his service-connected neck condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and completion of a VA Form 21-8940.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy and left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy claims are being reviewed.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for cervical radiculopathy due to lack of full service records and an inadequate VA examination. The Veteran needs to provide his National Guard service records, and a VA examination is required to determine if his current condition is related to in-service events.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for PTSD, tinnitus, a cervical spine condition, and a thoracolumbar spine condition have been dismissed without prejudice to refiling.,The Veteran’s appeal for service connection for hyperlipidemia has also been dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for lumbosacral strain, cervical degenerative disc disease status post fusion, right upper and left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, and bilateral knee osteoarthritis have been granted with effective dates of April 9, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, left hip, right hip, left knee, and right knee. The VA opinion relied upon by the AOJ is inadequate due to a mischaracterization of the question on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for a TDIU is remanded due to the need for further development and consideration of whether he was unemployable prior to September 5, 2017.

The Board has dismissed the claims of service connection for a right knee disability and a rating higher than 10 percent for cervical strain with vertebral dislocation and bulge due to lack of development or readjudication by the AOJ.

The Board has dismissed the claims of service connection for a right knee disability and a rating higher than 10 percent for cervical strain with vertebral dislocation and bulge due to lack of development or readjudication by the AOJ.