Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2021

The Veteran's cervical spine DDD is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The issue of TDIU prior to January 19, 2017, is remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the claims for a cervical spine disability and left shoulder disability due to inadequate opinions from the June 2021 VA examiner. The Veteran's service connection claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee tendonitis/tendinosis, right knee tendonitis/tendinosis, lumbosacral strain, and cervical strain.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and origin of the Veteran's neck disability. The case will be returned to the Board once further development is completed.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective November 2, 2016. However, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU prior to that date. The case is remanded for referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disability, specifically whether it is related to his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability is granted. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral leg disabilities, neck disability, back disability, and left hip disability.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including residuals of a head injury, cervical spine disability, and tremors, were not incurred or aggravated during service. The appeal is being remanded for further development regarding a chronic gastrointestinal disability.

The Veteran's cervical spine, ankle, knee, hip, and shoulder conditions are being remanded for further development.,Specifically, the Board is requesting additional medical opinions to determine if these conditions are secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU from December 18, 2018. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to December 18, 2018 is remanded for referral to the Director of Compensation Service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no current hearing loss disability in the right ear, and left ear hearing loss was rated at 0 percent. Hypertension, GERD, cervical spine degenerative joints with herniated nucleus pulposus, lumbar spine herniated nucleus pulpous with radiculitis down posterior leg, right knee effusion/degenerative changes, left knee degenerative changes, and OSA were not granted increased ratings or service connection.

The Board has not obtained all requested VA treatment records for the Veteran's cervical spine and right hip disabilities. The case is being remanded to obtain these records.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, including left supraspinatus tendinopathy and AC joint arthritis, is currently rated at 20 percent. The rating for the left arm impairment due to disk extrusion at C6-7 of the cervical spine has been increased to 60 percent effective October 23, 2006.,The Veteran's left shoulder disability (left supraspinatus tendinopathy and AC joint arthritis) is currently rated at 20 percent. The rating for left shoulder AC joint arthritis prior to May 1, 2021 has been decreased to noncompensable.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple conditions has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate addendum opinions regarding whether the cervical spine disorder is caused or aggravated by a postoperative right inguinal hernia. The VA needs to obtain new addendum opinions on this issue.

The Veteran's cervical strain, left ear hearing loss, lumbosacral strain, bilateral knee condition (left and right), and bilateral shoulder condition have all been granted service connection with a 10% rating for the cervical strain.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is granted service connection. The appeal for bilateral lower extremities peripheral neuropathy is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient medical opinions regarding his cervical and lumbar spine disabilities. The case is returned for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment since June 1, 2014. The Board has granted an earlier effective date for a TDIU based on this finding.

The Board granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for OSA and HTN, as well as a rating of 40 percent for cervical spine radiculopathy. The issues related to ED were withdrawn by the Veteran. Effective dates prior to May 8, 2014, for the grant of service connection with an evaluation of 10 percent for right upper extremity (RUE) and RLE radiculopathy were denied.