Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the old or new rating criteria.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding service connection claims.

The Board denied service connection for back and neck disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection due to exposure to cold weather, foot disabilities, neck disability, knee disabilities, and shoulder disability. The claims are being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability and denied special monthly compensation for the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate examination findings regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disorder, specifically concerning flare-ups and pain during those flare-ups.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The appeal seeking entitlement to a right foot injury is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disorder and remanded the issues of service connection for left ankle, right ankle, cervical spine, and left knee sprain.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her left knee sprain are also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including headaches, knee conditions, and back issues. The Board has ordered new examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions due to a possible material change in the Veteran’s disability.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently evaluated at a 20 percent rating due to limited range of motion, but not meeting the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, and gastrointestinal disorders due to inadequate examination reports that did not address the Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service falls.

The Veteran's cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities are found to be related to service, specifically the helicopter crash in February 1967. Service connection is granted for these conditions.,Service connection is also granted for bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy (numbness in hands and arms) and right lower extremity radiculopathy (numbness in the right leg), both found to be secondary to service-connected cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for the Veteran's cervical spine disability as of March 17, 2015.,The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to March 17, 2015.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70 percent rating, effective October 6, 2020. Service connection for his neck disability is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected DDD of the cervical spine and PTSD have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since April 19, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and outstanding VA treatment records. The issues include back disability, cervical spine disability, bilateral ankle disability, bilateral hip disability, residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI), disability manifested by impaired balance, fatigue, memory loss, bilateral hand disability (claimed as hand tremors), speech disability, and bilateral eye disability.

A 30 percent rating for cervical spine strain with degenerative disc disease (DDD) from May 18, 2018 is granted.,A 20 percent rating for right upper extremity radiculopathy prior to November 8, 2019 and a 30 percent rating thereafter is granted.,A rating higher than 40 percent for skin sores from August 13, 2018 is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The right shoulder disability, neck disability, and right ankle disability are not rated higher than the current assigned ratings.,Service connection was denied for the right hip, leg, and groin disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, cervical spine disability, and hypertension due to the lack of available service treatment records. The Veteran is to be afforded VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.