Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for increased rating and service connection for various disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to incomplete medical records and a need to obtain additional evidence from private providers.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and a TDIU is granted. The Board found the Veteran does not meet criteria for a higher rating due to his symptoms being less severe than those warranting a 100 percent rating.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches as secondary to right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis with degenerative arthritis status post distal clavicle fracture surgical repair. The claim for neck disability, which is also related to the right shoulder condition, was denied.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's spine disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current spinal conditions and an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate examination in February 2016, and now requires a new examination to determine if the Veteran's cervical spine disability is related to his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause her to be unable to secure or maintain a substantially gainful occupation prior to June 16, 2009.

The Board has granted the reopening of the claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, but denied it on the merits.,Service connection was denied for a left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was previously rated at 10 percent prior to December 19, 2019 and denied for a higher rating. For the period from December 19, 2019, his disability is denied for a higher rating.,For the period from December 19, 2019, the Veteran's cervical spine disability was previously rated at 20 percent and denied for a higher rating. His cerebral aqueduct stenosis with headaches were granted a 30 percent rating prior to December 19, 2019.

The Veteran's lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities are rated at 40 percent each, while her bilateral foot disability is rated at 30 percent. The appeals for higher ratings have been denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her cervical spine disability and associated radiculopathy of the upper extremities are being remanded due to a lack of recent medical evidence.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disorder, left shoulder disorder, and headache disorder. The cases are now remanded for further development.

The appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is dismissed. The remaining issues of service connection for various shoulder, cervical spine, hip, knee, and ankle disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral knee disability, bladder disorder, cervical spine disorder, and colitis. Additionally, the TDIU and CUE claims are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and neck disabilities, as well as a psychiatric disability. The AOJ is required to obtain VA treatment records from prior to 2009 and provide additional VA medical opinions related to these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder and headaches secondary to service-connected conditions, and awarded a 50 percent disability rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis and pes planus.

The Board has denied service connection for left shoulder, neck or cervical spine, and left elbow disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, and left shoulder disability have been granted with an effective date of May 26, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU, as well as service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, an intestinal disorder, hemorrhoids, a gastroesophageal disorder, and erectile dysfunction due to in-service events or disorders.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine disorder and right upper extremity radiculopathy, lumbar spine disorder and right lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as his claim for TDIU. The VA is required to obtain additional medical opinions to assess the functional impairment caused by the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities.