Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2021

The Board has decided to remand three issues: the increased rating for right shoulder degenerative joint disease, the reopening of a cervical spine disability claim secondary to right shoulder degenerative joint disease, and the TDIU claim. The reasons are that the most recent VA examination is inadequate and new opinions are needed.

Service connection for costochondritis, tinnitus, degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, fibromyalgia, and sleep apnea has been granted with an effective date of March 7, 2014. Service connection for traumatic brain injury was denied.

The Veteran's right and left shoulder disabilities are granted service connection. Service connection for GERD is denied, but the Veteran's neck disability, hands and fingers disability, and joint pain are remanded.

Service connection for craniocervical arteriovenous fistula is granted. A rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus and a compensable rating for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease prior to April 20, 2015, and a rating in excess of 20 percent thereafter are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches, finding that the Veteran's current tension headaches are proximately due to or the result of her service-connected anxiety disorder.,Service connection was denied for a cervical spine disability and left wrist condition. The case is being remanded for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) because of the need for aid and attendance, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him in need of regular aid and assistance.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was granted with a 30 percent rating, and his right upper extremity radiculopathy was granted with a 20 percent rating. Other issues were remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for new examinations to evaluate his low back, ankle, radiculopathy, neck, elbow, and upper extremity disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disability, including potential service connection and aggravation by a pre-existing condition.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining medical opinions on the Veteran's cervical spine condition and left shoulder arthralgia.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from being able to work in an office setting.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of sleep apnea, cervical spine condition, and upper extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional disability caused by VA surgical care in September 2007, including cervical stenosis with myelopathy/radiculopathy, has been denied.,Eligibility for financial assistance in the purchase of one automobile or other conveyance and automobile adaptive equipment, or automobile adaptive equipment only is also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions regarding his service-connected disabilities, including right shoulder-AC separation, right knee strain (recharacterized as total knee replacement), cervical spine disability, lumbosacral strain, left elbow avulsion injury with residuals, left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, GERD, malaria residuals, headaches, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for his right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 30 percent for the period beginning August 19, 2020. The appeal was granted for this rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's left arm numbness is related to his service-connected right shoulder disability and if it is aggravated by that condition.

The Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability and fibromyalgia, both claimed as due to an undiagnosed illness, were denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disability and associated radiculopathy. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to assess his loss of function during flare-ups and after repetitive use.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability, left ankle disability, and right heel disability due to inadequate medical opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine conditions have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.