Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for increased rating of cervical spine disability and service connection for left foot bunion. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with prior directives, specifically obtaining a retrospective medical opinion regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disability from December 31, 1991 to June 16, 2004.

The Board has remanded the claims for residuals of a head injury, lumbar spine disability, and related conditions due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's service records indicate he had headaches in service but no definitive diagnosis or treatment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine condition and sleep disorder due to failure of the Veteran to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for back, cervical spine, and bilateral hip disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right upper extremity disability, including his hand and wrist conditions. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and cervical spine conditions due to incomplete examination findings.

The Veteran's initial increased rating for cervical strain is denied, and the case is remanded to obtain a new VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for an increased initial rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine since November 7, 2019 is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records review, as well as further development of her Vocational Rehabilitation and medical treatment records.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues related to cervical spine, lumbar spine, ulnar nerve compression, lateral femoral cutaneous nerve impairment of the left lower extremity, and right knee disabilities. The appeal for service connection for a right ankle disorder was also withdrawn.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is currently rated at 30 percent for the period beginning October 3, 2019. The appeal has been denied as there is no evidence of ankylosis or limitation of motion that would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's lumbar strain disability is being remanded for further examination and rating. Other service connection claims are also being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations due to inadequate medical opinions provided in prior VA examinations. The issues include lumbar spine, cervical spine, right hip, left hip, and right knee disabilities.

Anemia (iron deficiency) was granted a 10% rating effective April 28, 2008.,Bilateral pes planus and bilateral hallux valgus were granted a 10% rating effective June 4, 2010.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran is seeking an increase in his disability rating for lumbosacral strain, which was previously denied by a July 2012 rating decision. He also seeks service connection for a neck disability that he contends is related to his service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased evaluations for intervertebral disc degeneration at C5, C6, and C7 and left cervical radiculopathy at C7 level as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision.

The Veteran's right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity cervical radiculopathy are granted compensation as secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability.,The Veteran's right upper extremity, left upper extremity, right lower extremity, and left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy are granted compensation as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an addendum medical opinion regarding secondary service connection for upper back disability.

The Board denied service connection for chest pain, including costochondritis, as the preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that it began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service disease, injury, or event.,The Board remanded issues regarding cervical spine disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, left knee disability, and left foot and ankle disabilities for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for back and neck disabilities due to incomplete examination reports and lack of clear opinions on etiology.