Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected cervical spine, right knee, left knee, and right knee disorders. The VA will also obtain any outstanding medical records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information on the Veteran's functional loss from her cervical spine disability. The case will be returned for another examination and additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's diagnoses and service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss was granted. However, the appeal regarding a higher rating for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine and TDIU status remains pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, and left knee disabilities due to incomplete records and need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, lower back, and left knee conditions due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran must be provided with additional VA examinations to address these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for a right jaw disability, degenerative changes of the cervical spine, and migraines as secondary to residuals of left temporomandibular injury.,Service connection is also granted for a neck disability.

The Board denied service connection for neck and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a link to military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is granted service connection. The cervical and shoulder disorders are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck disability, PFB, left thumb arthritis, and associated surgical scarring were denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for a neck disability. Service connection was not established for PFB or left thumb arthritis. Ratings for left thumb arthritis prior to September 12, 2019, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter, were also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine DDD is rated at 10 percent prior to November 29, 2018 and denied for a higher rating. From November 29, 2018 onwards, the claim remains denied.

Service connection is granted for lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, and headache condition.,Service connection is denied for acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression).

The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as associated radiculopathies, are granted with effective dates of September 28, 2007.

The Veteran's initial rating claims for right shoulder strain, left shoulder strain, and right knee strain have been denied as the evidence does not show that any of these conditions warrant a higher rating.,Degenerative arthritis of the spine has also been denied as it did not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in actual loss of use of both hands and feet, requiring the use of a power chair for mobility. The Board grants financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or other conveyance.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a TBI has been denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and migraine headaches have been remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset during service or relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disability. The VA examiner was asked to address whether the Veteran's current cervical spine disability is related to service, but did not consider his lay statements about symptoms since service.

The Veteran's hepatitis B was not shown to be related to service, and the Board denied this claim.,Service connection for benign prostate hypertrophy (claimed as enlarged prostate) was also denied because there is no evidence of a current disability or relationship to service.,The Veteran's esophageal reflux was not linked to his service, and thus denial of this claim.,For cervical spine condition and lumbar area pain, the Board found insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service. The claims were therefore denied.,There is no indication that the low back disability is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete development, including the need for updated private medical records and an orthopedic VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as cervical degenerative disc disease, all secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus.