Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's mechanical low back strain and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, status post-operative C6-C7 fusion with residual scar are currently rated at 20 percent. The Board denied a higher rating for both conditions.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for a cervical spine condition is granted. The claims for service connection of left shoulder condition are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of compliance with recent VA examination requirements for cervical strain prior to March 27, 2018. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed again after obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling an appropriate examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability is granted. The claims for upper back and neck, bilateral cubital tunnel syndrome, arthritis, hearing loss, and tinnitus are denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his neck disability is denied as the evidence does not show that he has experienced incapacitating episodes or additional limitation of motion due to flare-ups.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted based on his service-connected disabilities rendering him unable to obtain or secure substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate examinations and requests for updated evaluations of the Veteran's cervical and lumbosacral spine disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations. The Veteran's claims for service connection are not addressed as they were previously decided.

The Board has denied higher staged ratings for the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, currently rated as 10 percent from July 27, 2006, and 20 percent from March 23, 2009. The case is remanded due to insufficient evidence supporting a higher rating.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability results in pain and limited forward flexion to at most 25 degrees. Service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy is granted, effective April 13, 2012.,Service connection for right upper extremity radiculopathy is also granted, but the effective date remains pending further adjudication due to a TDIU claim being raised.,The Veteran's TDIU claim has been remanded and will be adjudicated separately.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions in the claims file.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder and cervical spine disabilities, finding no evidence of chronic disability related to service or a service-connected condition.,Service connection was also denied for joint pain and muscle pain, with the examiner attributing these symptoms to an already service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's cervical spine and left knee disorders are granted service connection.,Lyme disease is denied, as there is no current diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disability, which must be reconsidered with consideration of his service history and ongoing neck pain.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disability and remanded the issues of an increased rating for head injury and entitlement to TDIU. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, a cervical spine disability, and osteoarthritis of all joints were granted in an April 2020 rating decision. The appeals for these issues are dismissed as the benefits have been fully granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical and thoracolumbar spine disorders due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The issues are related to whether these conditions were incurred or aggravated during service.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's cervical spine disorder is related to her active duty service or caused by her service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability has not been manifested by forward flexion of the cervical spine of 15 degrees or less, favorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine, or Intervertebral Disc Syndrome (IVDS) with incapacitating episodes. As a result, the Veteran is not entitled to a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for Major Depressive Disorder and restored it. Service connection for a cervical spine disability and erectile dysfunction is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability and cervical spine disability due to inconsistencies in the VA examination reports and the need for further medical opinions.