Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2020

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

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection and increased ratings for various disabilities, including left ankle disorder, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, hypertension, right wrist disability, left-hand disability, stress fracture of the mid right anterior tibia with traumatic arthritis, right proximal dorsal foot, left mastoidectomy with tympanoplasty, hemorrhoids, bilateral hearing loss, and radiculopathy of the lower extremities.

The Board has remanded the claims for a cervical spine disability, right shoulder disability, and traumatic brain injury due to insufficient evidence or procedural errors.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis with stenosis, depressive disorder and anxiety, and cervical spine degenerative arthritis with spondylosis have been granted service connection. The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative arthritis with spondylosis is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability but remanded the issue of service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for lumbosacral strain, radiculopathy of the right arm and left arm (peripheral neuropathy), and anterior cervical discectomy and fusion spanning C5 to C7 are remanded due to a duty to assist error. The AOJ must obtain all identified private treatment records.

The Veteran's initial claims for increased ratings for cervical spine and TMJ disabilities were denied. The VA found that the conditions did not meet criteria for higher ratings based on range of motion, functional impairment, or other relevant factors.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, effective December 15, 2011. The right knee disability has been granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for further development due to inadequate medical evidence and outstanding VA records.

The petition to reopen the claim for service connection for a neck disability is granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection is remanded, and his TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 40 percent for a lumbar spine disability, service connection for a cervical spine disability, and service connection for radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities secondary to a cervical spine disability due to inadequate compliance with prior remands.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a causal link between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disabilities, along with his left upper extremity neurological involvement, have resulted in a need for regular aid and assistance with daily activities. The Board has granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeal for higher disability ratings for cervical spine DDD and lumbar DJD, as well as the claim for TDIU, is being remanded due to issues with the timeliness of her Notice of Disagreement (NOD) regarding the May 2010 rating decision.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability and left upper extremity radiculopathy are being remanded for further examination to determine their current severity. Additionally, the TDIU claim is also being remanded as part of this process.

The Board has denied service connection for low back, mid-back, upper back, and neck disabilities. The Veteran's current back or neck problems are not related to his military service.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity (related to dystonia) was also denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine disability, finding that there is now sufficient evidence to establish a nexus between his in-service injury and his current condition.

The Veteran's cervical spine, lumbar spine, and left knee disorders were denied service connection as they are not shown to be related to his military service.,Service connection for a skin disorder was also denied due to lack of evidence linking it to herbicide exposure during service.

The Board has remanded the claims involving the Veteran's neck and right knee disabilities, as well as his low back disability. The decision on these issues is pending further review.