Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to inadequate examination reports regarding the severity of his service-connected lumbar spine, cervical spine, and radiculopathy disabilities. The Veteran must be scheduled for new examinations.

The Board has found pre-decisional duty to assist errors for all the claims on appeal, including the increased rating claim for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) with cervical radiculopathy of the left. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not result in loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands or feet.

The Board has denied service connection for neck, low back, right hip, left knee, and right knee disabilities as there is no probative evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for a cervical spine condition, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and sleep apnea due to deficiencies in the VA examinations and opinions provided.

The Board has dismissed all appeals for service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance, compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for back disability, bilateral foot disability, and leg disability due to lack of evidence showing he is in need of regular aid and attendance or permanently bedridden.

The Veteran's neck disorder is being remanded for further development as the VA medical opinion did not address his lay statements regarding the onset and continuity of symptoms.

The Veteran's left leg numbness is found to be etiologically related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The claims for increased initial ratings for the service-connected lumbar and cervical spine disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's headaches associated with TBI are granted an increased evaluation of 50 percent. The claim for entitlement to TDIU is also granted. The claims for service connection for right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a neck condition was dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was denied an initial rating higher than 20 percent prior to June 10, 2021 and a rating higher than 30 percent from that date.,The Veteran's thoracic spine disability was denied an initial rating higher than 20 percent prior to June 10, 2021 and a rating higher than 40 percent from that date.,The Veteran's right knee disability was denied an initial rating higher than 10 percent prior to June 10, 2021 and a rating higher than 30 percent from that date.,The Veteran's left knee disability was denied an initial rating higher than 10 percent prior to June 10, 2021 and a rating higher than 30 percent from that date.

The Board has granted service connection for neck, throat, right knee, and left hip disabilities. Service connection was also dismissed for a chest pain condition.,Issues related to lip papilloma, left toe disability, and lip papilloma residuals are still pending and require further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral shoulder, ankle, elbow, wrist, cervical spine, and hip disabilities. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and the Veteran's active service.,Service connection was also denied for tinnitus.

Your service connection claims for cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, and left hand disorders are being remanded to the VA for additional development.

The Board has withdrawn the appeal for TMJ and has remanded the cases of cervical spine condition, right shoulder strain, and migraines secondary to cervical spine condition.

The Veteran's depression is being remanded for an addendum opinion to determine if it was caused by his service-connected disabilities, specifically the left clavicle and scapula dislocation or any combination of other service-connected conditions. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its inextricability with the secondary service connection issue.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted, but his claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to inadequate development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings for his cervical spine disability, left and right foot disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions and lack of consideration of lay statements.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to bilateral hearing loss at any time during the course of the appeal or approximate thereto, and thus cannot establish an essential element of the service connection claim.