Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2021

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, neck, bilateral arm neuropathy, and respiratory disabilities due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and his military service.,Service connection was granted for a scar of the left exterior upper lip.

The Board has determined that the VA examiner's opinion is inadequate and remands for a new examination to address whether the Veteran's neck disability is related to his military service, specifically an in-service motor vehicle accident, or if it is caused by or aggravated by his service-connected back disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine condition, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current disability and his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for a cervical spine disability and bilateral hearing loss. The case is being remanded to address the issue of service connection for memory loss due to service-connected TBI.,Service connection will not be granted for a cervical spine disability or bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the cervical spine is denied. The Board found that there were no earlier claims upon which an earlier effective date could be granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a cervical spine disorder. The case is remanded for further development, including an addendum VA opinion regarding the etiology of any diagnosed cervical spine disorders.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the lumbar and cervical spine due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for DJD of both his lumbar and cervical spines, which he attributes to in-service heavy labor and lifting. The VA has ordered a remand to provide further examination.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the condition and active service.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's cervical spine disability, finding that the evidence did not support such a higher rating based on limitation of motion or ankylosis.

The Veteran's rib fractures are not rated as compensable, and service connection for left shoulder and neck disabilities is denied.,Effective dates prior to December 1, 2017 for the grants of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinea pedis with onychomycosis are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's cervical spine disability is secondary to his service-connected lumbar syndrome and chondromalacia of both knees. The case needs further development with a clarifying medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for left upper extremity radiculopathy associated with cervical stenosis, status post-anterior cervical discectomy with fusion and degenerative arthritis was denied by the Board. The evidence did not show severe incomplete paralysis or complete paralysis.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to have had their onset in service.,There is no evidence of a current gout disability or functional impairment due to gout.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantial gainful employment since August 1, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and following any substantially gainful employment from September 23, 2008 to March 28, 2010. An effective date of September 23, 2008 for the grant of basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's cervical spine degenerative joint disease is related to service or his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and a TDIU are remanded due to the need for updated examinations, authorization of medical records, and consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is now rated at 30 percent from April 9, 2015. The Board found that the evidence supports a higher rating based on functional loss due to flare-ups.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and cervical spondylosis were rated, with the lumbosacral strain receiving a 20% rating. The cervical spondylosis was denied an increased rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his current condition and his active duty service. The TDIU claim was remanded due to the Veteran's request.