Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's low back disability was restored to a 40 percent rating effective August 18, 2015. The right upper extremity radiculopathy and cervical spine disabilities were not granted increased ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for a chronic cervical spine condition, finding that the Veteran's current neck pain is related to his parachute landing during active military service.

The Veteran's initial rating for cervical strain prior to February 13, 2011 was denied as the evidence did not meet criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's initial rating for cervical strain from February 13, 2011 onward and lumbar disc herniation were both denied as they do not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's cervical spine, right shoulder, left shoulder, and lumbar spine disorders were not incurred or aggravated during service. The current diagnoses of arthritis in these areas are not related to active service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran’s neck, back, right hip, and bilateral foot disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an extension of his delimiting date for VA educational assistance benefits under Chapter 30, finding that he did not submit a timely request and that his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from utilizing these education benefits.

The Veteran's cervical muscular strain with fracture, odontoid process of C2 with separation from body of C2 is rated at 30 percent since September 7, 2017. The rating remains denied for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine disability and PTSD were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Board has dismissed the service connection claims for cervical spine, lumbar spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine were denied. Prior to November 22, 2019, he was granted a 20% disability rating. From that date onwards, his claim for an increased rating was denied.

The Veteran withdrew all remaining issues associated with her appeal, including service connection for recurring skin tags and increased ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis, right hallux valgus, and cervical spine DJD and IVDS.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining a VA examination to assess the severity of the service-connected cervical spine disability and whether headaches are related to or aggravated by this condition.

The Veteran's left hip disability (limited flexion) is currently rated as noncompensable, and her left hip disability is rated at 20 percent since March 13, 2013. The cervical spine disability is also rated at 20 percent since March 13, 2013.,The Veteran's left hip disability (limited flexion) has not been granted a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for cervical spine, right shoulder, and left shoulder disabilities due to insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's current diagnoses are not supported by continuity of symptomatology or a direct relationship with his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine, left shoulder, and thoracolumbar spine disabilities.,The evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current diagnosed conditions had their onset during his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracic strain, cervical spine degenerative disc disease (DDD), and left ankle strain as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete VA treatment records and an examination for chronic fatigue syndrome related to hypoglycemia.

The Veteran's lumbar strain, left knee degenerative joint disease (left knee disability), PTSD, migraine headaches, cervical spine disability, left leg shin splints, right leg shin splints, bilateral hearing loss, and TBI have been granted service connection.,An initial rating of 40 percent for traumatic brain injury (TBI) has also been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records from the Puerto Rico State Insurance Fund. The Veteran is required to provide authorization and VA will request their medical records.