Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2021

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disability, which may be related to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain additional medical opinions regarding secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, low back disability, and erectile dysfunction have been reopened due to new and material evidence. The remaining issues are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete VA examinations and failure to address specific remand directives.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his service-connected left shoulder and cervical spine disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than 30 percent for either condition.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine disability and a compensable rating for tension headaches, but granted a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of adequate VA examinations and undelivered correspondence. The Veteran is required to provide his current address, and all outstanding medical records should be obtained.

The Board has determined that further remand is necessary for the Veteran's neck and back disability claims due to incomplete compliance with previous instructions.

The Board denied service connection for TBI and its residuals, as well as right hip disorder, cervical spine disorder (neck disorder), and ulnar nerve disorder of the elbow. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service or secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a neck condition and right ankle condition due to incomplete development. The decision on whether to grant or deny these claims will be determined after further review.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for left hand joint pain and right hand joint pain have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal during a hearing before the undersigned.,Service connection has been granted for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, headaches, and PTSD.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding service connection for lumbar spine disorder, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and cervical spine disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spondylosis. The cervical spine disability claim is remanded due to the need for a medical opinion.

The Board has denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder and remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression) and hypertension. The neck condition is not related to service, while there is evidence suggesting a possible link between the psychiatric disorders and service exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating for PTSD, service connection for right shoulder strain, degenerative arthritis of the right elbow and cervical spine, and right hip strain. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is intertwined with these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to service-connected PTSD, but denied service connection for cervical spine disorder and right ankle disorder.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted effective from September 21, 2011. The claims of service connection for a cervical spine disability and hypertension are remanded.

The Veteran's headaches are not rated higher than noncompensable, as there is no evidence of characteristic prostrating attacks.,The Veteran’s cervical spine disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent due to the lack of forward flexion of less than 15 degrees or favorable ankylosis.,The Veteran's major depressive disorder with somatic symptoms is rated at 50 percent, as it causes occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.,Prior to July 7, 2014, the Veteran did not meet schedular requirements for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for cervical strain prior to April 30, 2019. The case will be reviewed by the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for consideration of all evidence received since the August 2020 supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder, cervical spine, bilateral ankle, bilateral knee, and bilateral hip disabilities are granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar discogenic disease.,Service connection for a hiatal hernia is denied.