Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to the unavailability of his service treatment records and the need for further medical examination.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before the claims for increased ratings on appeal can be adjudicated. The Veteran's lumbar spine and cervical strain disabilities are being remanded for new VA examinations to assess their current severity.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was rated at 10 percent prior to April 4, 2013, and denied a higher rating. The Veteran's left upper extremity neuropathy associated with cervical degenerative joint disease is rated at 30 percent, while the right upper extremity neuropathy is also rated at 30 percent.,The Veteran was denied an initial compensable rating for hypertension and service connection for a hysterectomy.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder, neck, and left shoulder disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing the conditions were incurred or aggravated by service. The Veteran's claims were not supported by competent medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea and a neck disability, to include degenerative disc disease, due to inadequate analysis of the lay evidence regarding the onset and continuity of symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU was denied. The decision also granted SMC at the housebound rate prior to August 6, 2010.

The Board has remanded the claim for a neck disorder to obtain an addendum medical opinion addressing whether the Veteran's service-connected back disability caused or aggravated his claimed neck disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to missing service medical records and the need for additional examinations. The Veteran's reported symptoms during and since service are being evaluated, as well as any aggravation of his disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to September 7, 2010.

The Veteran's facial scars are granted a 10 percent rating. The back and neck disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected flat-topped talus right foot with arthritic changes. The claim for service connection for bilateral cervical radiculopathy was denied, and a TDIU was granted.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 14, 2012 for the assignment of a TDIU on an extraschedular basis. The Veteran was found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities since March 14, 2012.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability, including metatarsalgia and plantar fasciitis, is granted as service-connected. The back and neck disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's cervical spine strain is rated at 20 percent, and the Board found that a higher rating was not warranted.,Service connection for a lumbar spine disability is denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease, and the current condition is not related to service.

The Veteran's cervical spine strain is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,Service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy associated with service-connected cervical spine strain has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle, right ankle, left shoulder, cervical spine, and bilateral eye disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the appellant withdrew his appeal for a higher initial rating for spasmodic torticollis with degenerative joint and disc disease, cervical spine.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's neck disability is related to service and remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations conducted in January and August 2020 do not substantially comply with the remand directives, necessitating further development to obtain addendum opinions regarding pain levels during range of motion testing and functional loss due to repetitive use.

The Board has remanded the claim for a neck disability due to new evidence received after the November 2020 supplemental statement of the case.