Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's neck disability was denied service connection due to lack of evidence linking the condition to his military service. His lumbosacral spine DJD received a 20% rating effective December 19, 2019.

The Veteran's migraine headaches and upper airway resistance syndrome are rated at 50% each, effective from the date of the VA examination. The Board also granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied an increased disability rating higher than 20 percent for the service-connected degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, finding that the evidence did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a back disability, neck disability, and myofascial pain syndrome of the chest wall have been denied. The Board found that these conditions are not related to his active service or secondary to any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as new and relevant evidence was not received to support the claims. The Veteran is also denied a rating in excess of the current assigned ratings for various conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for VA examinations and medical opinions regarding his claimed psychiatric, sleep apnea, cervical spine, and bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's cervical strain was rated at 10 percent prior to April 12, 2019. From April 12, 2019 to January 24, 2020, the rating was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. Beginning January 24, 2020, the Veteran's cervical strain is rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and need for further medical opinions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee condition, nervous condition (claimed as chronic schizophrenia and chronic depression), back condition, and cervical condition due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to inadequate VA examination reports, lack of range of motion testing results in degrees on both passive and active range of motion, and additional functional loss resulting from flare-ups. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is intertwined with the rating issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and a cervical spine disorder due to inadequate opinions in previous examinations. The Veteran is presumed sound at entry into service, and his current conditions are being evaluated for their relationship to service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations for osteoporosis of multiple body parts due to new evidence showing degenerative changes in his bones. The case is being sent back for further examination and updated treatment records.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal before the Board could make a decision on any of the issues raised.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine. The issue of service connection for headaches and episodes of blacking out is remanded as no VA examiner has provided an opinion on whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's now service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed. The appeal regarding the cervical spine disability is still pending as new and material evidence has not been received. Appeals for OSA, right hip, and right shoulder disabilities are remanded due to lack of medical opinion linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's request for a higher rating on his right knee disability and SMC based on aid and attendance is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's neck disability and his military service.

The Veteran's employment during the pendency of the appeal prevented a determination on his claim for TDIU prior to January 17, 2018. The Board denied the claim as he failed to provide necessary evidence.

The Board has determined that the VA examiner's opinion is inadequate and requires a new examination to determine if service caused or aggravated a pre-existing cervical spine condition.

The Veteran's initial rating for a cervical spine disability is denied prior to May 24, 2019 and thereafter. A TDIU on a schedular basis from August 23, 2011 to February 20, 2015 is granted.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is granted service connection. The low back and psychiatric disorders are remanded for further development.