Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for a compensable disability rating for tension headaches and a disability rating greater than 20 percent for cervical degenerative joint and disc disease were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show characteristic prostrating attacks of migraine headache pain, nor did it demonstrate ankylosis or functional equivalent thereof.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and cervical spine, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence to support these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and cervical spine, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to active service.

The Veteran's cervical spine and bilateral upper extremity neurological disabilities were not incurred in or related to his military service. The Board denied increased ratings for lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome and spinal stenosis, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and a surgical scar associated with the lumbar spine.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, BPH, cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, bilateral hip disorders, neuropathies of any extremities, glaucoma and cataracts, and heart disorder due to inadequate examination opinions that did not consider the Veteran's work as a combat engineer in service.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 26, 2012 for the grant of service connection for a lumbar spine disability has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for increased rating for his lumbar spine disability is remanded due to alleged worsening since the last VA examination in June 2019 and failure to describe probable additional losses in functionality during flare-ups.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability, has been raised.

The appeals for bilateral hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, and personality disorder have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims.,The appeals for increased ratings of right knee chondromalacia and right hand minimal motor and mild sensory loss have also been dismissed.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disability and the current severity of his right fifth metatarsal fracture. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to its inextricability with the service connection and increased rating claims.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's neck disability, finding that it had its onset in service and is related to his reported injury during active duty.

Service connection is granted for bilateral pes planus. Service connection is denied for cervical spine, lumbar spine, right elbow/arm, left elbow/arm, right hip, left hip, and left knee disabilities.

The Board has dismissed all the Veteran's claims as the appellant withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical strain with degenerative joint disease, left and right upper extremity radiculopathy associated with cervical strain, due to additional evidence being received since the July 2020 SSOC.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for her cervical spine disability prior to April 11, 2014 was denied. The claim for TDIU was also denied as the Veteran is currently rated at 100 percent combined and does not meet the criteria for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for back, cervical spine, and left knee disabilities. The case is remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's left ankle arthritis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including arthritis of the shoulders, left ankle, right knee, cervical spine, and right wrist, are granted. The Veteran is also awarded a 20% rating for his left knee disability since June 12, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc and joint disease, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether it is related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for thoracolumbar and cervical spine disabilities were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating greater than 20 percent or 30 percent, respectively.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for an additional disability of the cervical spine is denied because VA did not negligently or recklessly delay her from having surgery performed on May 8, 2012.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the claims for right knee, left knee, lumbar spine degenerative joint disease and disc disease (low back disability), left shoulder disability, and left leg/hip disability due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.