Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2021

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine DDD and cervical radiculopathy of the right arm, both secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.,The evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's current conditions were caused or aggravated by his active service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a back disability and neck disability, as well as the claim for TDIU. The Veteran's representative argues that these issues should be considered in conjunction with other pending claims, but the Board finds that they are sufficiently distinct to warrant separate review.

The Veteran's right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy has resulted in severe incomplete paralysis of the lower radicular group, warranting an initial 50 percent rating. The Board finds remand is required for completion of nerve conduction studies as specified by the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, as he has been employed in maintenance mechanic roles and is currently working nights. The Board finds that the evidence does not demonstrate a reasonable possibility of unemployability by reason of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left upper extremity radiculopathy is being remanded for a VA examination to assess its current severity.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chronic diarrhea and cervical spondylosis with degenerative arthritis have been denied. The Veteran's acid reflux claim has been remanded, as well as his glaucoma rating prior to specific dates.,The Veteran's service connection claim for acid reflux was remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, anxiety disorder, depression, cervical spine disorders, lumbar spine disorders, and peripheral neuropathy do not prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted a 20% rating, effective from the date of decision. The Veteran's TBI prior to September 23, 2008 and since that date are both rated at 10%. No new evidence or changes in service connection were presented.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, headaches, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, right upper extremity disability, right lower extremity disability, left lower extremity disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, and right knee disability. The Board found that these conditions did not have their onset in service or are not related to any service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's post-operative scar resulting from removal of a sebaceous cyst resulted in several small surgical scars which were not deep, did not involve tissue loss, and were less than 39 sq. cm. in size.

The Veteran's TDIU claims for the periods from January 1, 2013 to May 1, 2013 and from January 1, 2015 to August 21, 2015 are being remanded due to insufficient evidence of unemployability.,The Veteran's nonservice-connected pension benefits claims for the periods from January 1, 2013 to May 1, 2013 and from January 1, 2015 to August 21, 2015 are also being remanded due to insufficient evidence of unemployability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin condition (claimed as blisters on the neck) and a cervical spine disorder, including as due to an undiagnosed illness. The evidence did not support current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Veteran's neck disability is being remanded for additional examination and opinion. His right knee, hip, and thigh disabilities are also being remanded for additional examinations to determine their current severity. The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD L5-S1 with limited motion and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity claims are also being remanded for further development.

Your claims of service connection for right knee, right ankle, and neck disabilities have been granted. However, as these conditions are now fully compensated, the Board is dismissing your appeal.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he withdrew his claims for higher ratings prior to August 23, 2011, for his cervical spine and low back disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals from a head injury, headache disorder, lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, bilateral shoulder disorder, and bilateral knee disorder. The evidence does not support finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for a lumbar spine disability, and service connection for a cervical spine disability have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection or entitlement to compensation based on the current disabilities.

The Board has found that a remand is required to ensure VA has met its duty to assist in obtaining all relevant records and to provide the Veteran with appropriate examinations.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and cervical spine, as these conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent prior to October 26, 2019, and 20 percent thereafter. The knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent.,Both conditions are being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including TBI, neck disability, back disability, Parkinson's Disease, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.