Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2021

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder had its onset during active duty service and is related to his military duties. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for osteoarthritis with residuals, compression fracture T10 and L2. The claims for service connection of cervical spine disability, headaches, right hip disability, left hip disability, and erectile dysfunction are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, but the issues of service connection for back disability and major depressive disorder are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for back disability, neck disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and nasal disability (deviated septum) due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA. The VA examiner will provide opinions on whether these disabilities are related to service or aggravated by any period of ACDUTRA/INACDUTRA.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable disability rating for hypertension prior to December 31, 2015 and service connection for hepatitis B has been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The Board acknowledges the Veteran’s in-service noise exposure but notes that his hearing was within normal limits while in service and inconsistent reports of tinnitus.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is currently rated at 10 percent, effective August 31, 2011. The cervical spine disability was increased to 20 percent from July 30, 2015. Both conditions are remanded for further review.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, sinusitis, chronic dry eye disability, right wrist and left wrist disabilities, right hand tendonitis, left hand tendonitis, left foot disability, right great toe bunion, left foot bunions, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 60% from December 9, 2019. The Board found that the Veteran was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and additional examination. The Veteran's disabilities are related to military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period prior to January 21, 2020 was denied as there is insufficient evidence showing he could not secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is rated at 30 percent, effective from February 25, 2021. The left upper extremity radiculopathy is also rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for Merkel cell carcinoma has been reopened, and the case is remanded for a VA examination to determine if his condition is related to in-service sun exposure or presumed herbicide agent exposure. The neck disability secondary to Merkel cell carcinoma is also remanded for further evaluation. The rating for PTSD is remanded as well.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and cervical spine disability. The claim for right knee disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence. Service connection was denied for left shoulder disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and needs a new one.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to non-compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's cervical spine disability and TDIU claim are being reviewed again.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and development, requiring a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's cervical spine disability is related to his service.

The Board denied service connection for actinic keratosis, squamous cell carcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma as the evidence did not show a current disability related to service.,The Board also denied service connection for a cervical lymph node disability due to lack of a current disability.

The Board has denied service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease and degenerative changes with stenosis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not linked to his active service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a bilateral hip disability was dismissed. The Veteran's PTSD is granted with an initial rating of 50%. His neck and right shoulder disabilities are remanded, as well as his claim for increased rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle or right heel disability. The case is remanded for further development.