Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's cervical dysplasia with dyspareunia is currently rated at a noncompensable rating, but the Board has granted a compensable rating of 10 percent.,The Veteran’s epidermal inclusion cyst scars are currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board has remanded to determine if a separate rating for recurrences of the cyst should be assigned.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate August 2012 VA examination report, and a new medical opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's current degenerative disc disease is related to his service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development of evidence. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations and obtain medical opinions regarding his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current spinal disabilities. The right arm/shoulder disability issue is referred to the AOJ.

The Veteran's service connection for basal cell carcinoma and increased evaluations for various disabilities are granted. Effective dates prior to January 20, 2016 for the grants of these benefits are denied.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for gastrointestinal disorder, cervical spine, trapezius and left shoulder disorder, hemorrhoids, and testicle varicocele due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran contends these conditions are related to service or secondary to other service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a determination on whether an extraschedular rating is warranted prior to May 11, 2011, and for a VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's cervical spine strain.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hallux valgus deformities (bunions) and remanded the issue of service connection for a cervical spine disorder.

The Veteran's internal derangement of the left knee is rated at 40 percent, but no higher. A separate rating of 10 percent for symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage has been granted. The Veteran's osteoarthrosis of the lumbar spine and cervical spine are each rated at 30 percent. Migraine headaches do not warrant a higher rating. TDIU was granted from February 18, 2016 to May 2, 2016.

The Veteran's OSA and other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder with panic attacks are granted service connection. The lumbar spine, cervical spine, right knee, left knee, and MDD claims are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's right knee meniscus condition is granted a 20% rating. Service connection for his chronic headache disability is granted, but service connection for left knee disorder and cervical spine disorder are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations. Further examination is required to assess current severity of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient evidence and need for additional development, including obtaining more detailed medical records and clarifying service dates.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU from April 1, 2011 to November 18, 2015 due to service-connected disabilities. The rating period prior to September 25, 2010 did not meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's neck disability is not service-connected as it did not manifest during or within one year after service, and there is no evidence of a nexus to service.,The Veteran's type 2 diabetes mellitus was not caused by his service-connected lumbar disability.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the merits has been remanded due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine disability, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, and allergic rhinitis due to lack of evidence showing a direct link between these conditions and the Veteran's active military service.,Service connection was not granted as the preponderance of the evidence did not support that the Veteran’s current disabilities were caused or aggravated by his time in service.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches and denied her claim for TDIU due to the impact of her service-connected disabilities on her ability to work.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disorders, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.