Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2020

The Board has denied service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, left knee, right knee, and left ankle disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,Service records do not show any treatment or diagnoses related to the claimed disabilities. The Veteran's assertions about his military activities causing his current symptoms have been found insufficient by VA examiners.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examinations and failure to address functional loss in determining the severity of the Veteran's cervical spine disability.

The Board has remanded the right shoulder disability claim due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its relationship to service-connected cervical spine disability. The Veteran's lay statements and in-service treatment records are also considered.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back and cervical spine disabilities, as well as his claim for hypertension secondary to PTSD. The case requires further development with additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disability and denied increased ratings for right knee instability, left knee disability, and left knee instability.,The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10% under Diagnostic Code 5260.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from December 16, 2009 to August 13, 2019.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative joint disease was previously rated at 10 percent prior to July 12, 2018. Effective from July 12, 2018, the rating has been increased to 30 percent.,Since August 19, 2019, a higher rating for cervical spine degenerative joint disease is denied. The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative joint disease was previously rated at 10 percent prior to July 12, 2018. Effective from July 12, 2018, the rating has been increased to 40 percent.,The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has decided that a remand is necessary to ensure proper development of the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the thoracolumbar and cervical spine with sensory neuropathy and radiculopathy, including as due to exposure to environmental hazards in the Gulf War.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disability, which she claims is secondary to her service-connected lower extremity disabilities. The primary purpose of the remand was to determine if the Veteran’s pre-existing cervical spine condition was aggravated by a fall in September 2010 due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine disability, finding that her pre-existing condition clearly and unmistakably existed prior to her active service and was not aggravated during her service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his cervical spine strain and adjustment disorder with depressed mood, have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to August 16, 2012. The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise that he was unable to do so.

The Veteran's left hand disability, hypertension, and psychiatric disability are not service-connected.,Service connection for a back disability is also denied.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is not deemed to be a result of VA treatment or medication, and his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's neck disability was aggravated by service or preexisted his service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including cervical spine, low back, right hip, left hip, left knee, and left shoulder disabilities. The Veteran's military occupational specialty was infantryman, and he reported experiencing pain in his knees during a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to failure to schedule VA examinations. The issues include back disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, neck disorder, and left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his claims for increased ratings and TDIU.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to determine the etiology of the Veteran's current lumbar, hip, and cervical spine conditions. The claims are being remanded for additional examination and review.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss, finding the Veteran does not have current hearing impairment for VA purposes.,The Board also denied service connection for a cervical disorder, concluding that it is less likely than not related to service or his service-connected right foot disability.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his cervical spine disability was denied. The VA found that the evidence did not support a higher rating before September 15, 2017 or from that date onwards.