Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for right knee strain and spondylosis of the cervical spine, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability and active service, respectively.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need to correct pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors and obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to April 3, 2013 for a TDIU due to the implicit denial of her TDIU claim in the June 2009 SOC and the finality of that decision.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding service connection for cervical strain, bilateral knee disabilities, and migraines before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the severity and onset of his service-connected cervical spine disability, including intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS).

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine injury residuals including degenerative disc disease and intervertebral disc syndrome, as well as left shoulder neurological disability, both of which are determined to have originated during active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and separate compensable ratings for knee disabilities were denied. The cervical spine disability was not rated higher than 10 percent, the thoracolumbar spine disability was not rated higher than 20 percent, and both knee disabilities received separate compensable ratings.

The Veteran's claims for various disabilities have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and MDD) based on the evidence showing these conditions had their onset in service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including radiculopathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, is rated at 40 percent effective July 24, 2019.

The Veteran's PTSD rating is denied as the severity, frequency, and duration of symptoms do not meet criteria for a higher rating.,Service connection for migraine headaches secondary to PTSD, obstructive sleep apnea, cervical spine strain, and/or tinnitus is remanded due to inadequate examination and opinion.,Left ear hearing loss has been granted but no compensable disability rating assigned yet. The issue of right ear hearing loss remains unresolved.,New evidence must be considered to determine if it warrants reopening the claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion and obtaining any outstanding VA medical records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding direct service connection for a cervical spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disorder. The examiner must address in-service symptoms and whether the disease could have manifested earlier but remained asymptomatic.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disability, cervical spine disability, and erectile dysfunction are inadequate. Therefore, these issues must be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's neurogenic bladder with stress and urge incontinence is currently rated at 40 percent prior to October 22, 2020 and 60 percent beginning from that date. The RO must obtain all records related to the September 2014 cervical fusion.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is currently rated at 10 percent prior to December 7, 2016 and 30 percent beginning from that date. The RO must obtain all records related to the September 2014 cervical fusion.,The Veteran's cervical radiculopathy of the right upper extremity is currently rated at 40 percent since May 2, 2018. The RO must obtain all records related to the September 2014 cervical fusion.,The Veteran's cervical radiculopathy of the left upper extremity is currently rated at 30 percent effective from May 2, 2018. The RO must obtain all records related to the September 2014 cervical fusion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, lower back, and right knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, and the effective dates are set as of January 27, 2012. The Board found no evidence indicating a formal or informal claim prior to this date.

The Veteran's neck disability, psychiatric disability, low back disability, and bilateral knee disability are not found to have begun during service or be related to any event, injury, or disease during service.,A rating in excess of 0 percent for allergic rhinitis is denied.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection for various conditions due to the Veteran's death.