Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2021

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is rated at 30 percent, but no higher. The appeal for service connection of headaches secondary to the cervical spine disorder is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and an increased rating for mechanical low back pain syndrome with degenerative arthritis due to deficiencies in the VA examinations and lack of consideration of certain evidence.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease have been granted a 20 percent rating prior to November 14, 2014. A higher rating is denied for the entire appeal period. The right ankle disability has not met the criteria for an increased rating.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed due to withdrawal. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for cervical spine, bilateral hand, and headache disorders.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's current cervical spine disability is related to service. The case needs further examination and opinion.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for retrospective opinions regarding flare-ups of the Veteran's service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities prior to February 26, 2019. The case is being returned to the RO for these assessments.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating prior to September 7, 2011, and a rating in excess of 10 percent from September 7, 2011, for service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability are remanded. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a cervical spine disability is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, OSA, and TDIU has been granted with effective dates of February 28, 2011. The issue of earlier effective date for the grant of a TDIU is remanded due to the grant of an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as his left knee disability, were not shown to be related to service. The Board denied these claims due to lack of evidence of a chronic condition in service or continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis prior to schedular eligibility for the period prior to July 26, 2010 is denied. The Board found that his service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to their combined evaluation of 30 percent. The appeal for secondary service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and low back condition are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to inadequate reasons or bases in the previous decisions. The Veteran's cervical spine disability is related to her in-service motor vehicle accident, but there are no STRs showing a direct impact on the neck. For the left and right knee disabilities, the Board found that additional evidence was needed as the VA examination did not adequately address the lack of complaints about the knees until 2009.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities and/or migraines, as well as a need for additional development regarding the Veteran's TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran is entitled to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status due to his service-connected conditions, including cervical radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinea pedis was denied due to lack of new and relevant evidence. The claim for a cervical spine condition is remanded as the VA examination did not provide an adequate rationale regarding the relationship between the condition and service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's neck condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability aggravated his cervical spine disability. The claim will be returned for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, but has remanded the cases of cervical spine disability, seizure disability, and TDIU prior to August 15, 2012.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his back and neck disabilities, as well as his gout. The Veteran is also being asked to provide more information regarding his employment history for the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's request to reopen claims for service connection of various conditions has been granted. The Board finds that the Veteran now meets the criteria for service connection for a right knee strain.,Additional development is needed due to the Veteran's complaints of worsening symptoms and lack of recent VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining retrospective range of motion assessments and medical opinions regarding causation.