Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an enlarged lymph nodes disorder of the left neck, submandibular, cervical, and left apical areas was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability during the appeal period.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for connective tissue disorder (SLE), seborrhea of the scalp, post-operative left inguinal hernia, and headaches were also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's appeal due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for further development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities due to inadequate examinations in October 2019, which did not comply with VA regulations.

The Veteran's knee and lumbar spine disabilities are being remanded for additional examinations to assess their current severity.,An effective date earlier than March 3, 2015 is denied for the increased ratings of bilateral foot disability and cervical spine disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for TDIU, initial PTSD rating prior to December 23, 2019, neck disability service connection, and migraine headaches secondary to a neck disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been granted, with a 10% rating assigned for each condition. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches and pseudofolliculitis barbae, as well as his claims of service connection for arthritis, sinusitis, a cervical spine disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder) are denied. The Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis, sinusitis, a cervical spine disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder) are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to an in-service injury and that any degenerative changes were first noted many years after the alleged incident.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete compliance with previous remand instructions. The Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical strain is being reviewed again.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and PTSD have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting TDIU. The case is remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for depression, an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for right upper extremity radiculopathy, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine with IVDS due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has not resulted in decreased hearing acuity levels to support a compensable rating.,The criteria for service connection for cervical spine disability have not been met, as there is no evidence of an injury or disease during service and the examiner found that his scoliosis was not aggravated by service.,The criteria for service connection for lumbar spine disability have not been met, as there is no evidence of an injury or disease during service and the examiner found that his scoliosis was not aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and cervical spine are related to injuries sustained during service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's current neck disability, including degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and cervical degenerative disc disease, is considered to be related to his military service. The Board granted service connection for this condition based on the resolution of reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has denied service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral eye disability, heart disability, erectile dysfunction, prostate disability, urinary disability, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, and left foot disability. The Board found that these disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board denied service connection for low back disability and cervical degenerative disc disease, finding that there was no nexus between the disabilities and service. The evidence did not establish a direct relationship to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment, and a TDIU rating is granted.

The Veteran's cervical scar is rated at 10 percent under DC 7804 and a separate rating of 30 percent under DC 7800 for the presence of two characteristics of disfigurement. The Board has granted these ratings.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions and outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran's cervical spine disability is related to service, but more information is needed regarding his periods of ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA.

The Veteran's heart murmur claim is denied as there is no objective evidence of a current diagnosis.,The Veteran's bilateral knee condition and poor circulation claims are denied due to lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to service or any other relevant factor.,Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is granted, with secondary service connection already in effect for cervical radiculopathy of the left side.