Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbar, cervical, left lower extremity, and right lower extremity conditions are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's PTSD, scar, and radiculopathy conditions are not rated higher than the current assigned ratings. The effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) eligibility is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical strain and lumbosacral strain due to inadequate examination findings, including lack of information on flare-ups. Updated VA treatment records are needed, and a new VA examination is required.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and a cervical spine disorder due to insufficient nexus opinions provided by VA examiners. The Veteran's assertions of in-service injuries are considered credible, but further medical opinion is needed to address the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and to obtain an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disability, including whether it is related to service or his service-connected knee disability.

The Veteran is granted an initial disability rating of 20 percent for his service-connected cervical spine disability prior to January 8, 2020.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has remanded this issue for further development.,A separate issue of entitlement to service connection for radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, to include as due to service-connected degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, has also been raised by the record.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for a cervical spine disorder is granted. Entitlement to service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is also granted.

The Board denied service connection for cervical osteoarthritis with stenosis, radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and headaches.,There was no evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the cases for compliance with previous directives, including obtaining VA and SSA records. Addendum opinions are needed to determine the nature and etiology of current cervical spine, lumbar spine, left foot, and left knee disabilities. A psychiatric examination is also required to assess PTSD severity.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's cervical spine, right hip, left hip and left knee disabilities for additional development. The Veteran is also entitled to a rating in excess of 20 percent for his left hip disability (limitation of abduction) from November 26, 2019.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's service connection claim for chronic residuals of a motor vehicle accident. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his musculoskeletal disabilities, including those affecting his spine and arms, which he contends are related to an in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Board has denied service connection for a cervical spine disability and headaches. The Veteran's cervical spine symptoms were not chronic in service, did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation, and have not been continuous since service, nor are they otherwise etiologically related to service.,The Veteran's current headaches are not etiologically related to service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral wrist, knee, fingers, and neck disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Veteran's current cervical spine disorder is not considered to be due to the July 4, 1996 injury at the North Chicago VAMC. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of additional disability resulting from this event.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (sciatic nerve) is granted a rating of 20 percent from December 6, 2010 to September 11, 2013. The appeal for ratings in excess of 40 percent beginning on September 11, 2013 and for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (femoral nerve) is denied. Ratings in excess of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine are denied. Ratings in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity (sciatic nerve) radiculopathy are also denied. The Veteran's PTSD from December 6, 2010 to February 5, 2020 is denied.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine disorder and arthritis, finding that the current conditions are not related to active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a neck disability, finding that there is no competent medical evidence connecting the current cervical spine disability to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the service connection for a bilateral foot disability, low back disability, and cervical spine disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of a cervical spine disability and a bilateral foot condition other than pes planus due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.