Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2020

The Board denied the reopening of a previously denied claim for service connection for cervical spinal canal stenosis due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for cervical spine disability is dismissed. The claims for an increased rating for heart disability and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional development being required, including a vocational rehabilitation evaluation that assesses the Veteran's current limitations and their effect on his ability to perform in his occupational field. The issue of entitlement to VR&E benefits is still pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been denied.,The Veteran was granted service connection for Dupuytren's contracture of the right thumb, index finger, long finger, ring finger, and little finger on October 9, 2012.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a neck disability due to inadequate compliance with previous remand instructions and the need for an additional VA medical opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and remanded several other issues including ear hearing loss, neck, upper back, lower back, bilateral knee, ankle arthritis, foot/toe disabilities, vertigo, Meniere's syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea (secondary to PTSD), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent for the entire rating period on appeal, with separate ratings of 20 percent each for right and left upper extremity radiculopathy. The lumbar spine disability is also rated at 20 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease with hypertension and mitral valve prolapse, as well as for a cervical spine disability. The claim for heat exhaustion is remanded due to the need for further examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder on a direct basis, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability. The case is remanded for further development, including an examination to assess the nature, extent, and etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disability and his right shoulder condition.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including low back disability, neck disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, kidney disability, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. The evidence does not support a finding that these disabilities are related to the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis B, right hip disorder, lumbar spine disorder, left shoulder disorder, cervical spine disorder, and bilateral knee disorder have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability in any of these conditions.,Service connection was not granted as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to lack of diagnosis or manifestation within one year after discharge.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current cervical spine disability is related to his service, including reported in-service neck injuries.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine and right shoulder disabilities, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's neck disability and its relationship to his service-connected low back disability.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disorders, as well as radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records, specifically from Cleveland VAMC. The claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is also being remanded as part of these issues.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine was denied as there is no evidence that it became manifest in service or within a year after separation.,Service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left and right upper extremities, including as secondary to service-connected degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, was also denied due to lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the lower extremities, which is now considered service connected, was granted. The Board found that the symptoms were related to his lumbar spine disability and not directly related to service.