Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2021

The Veteran is granted a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected neck and back disabilities as of February 20, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and need for further medical opinions regarding the appellant's character of discharge, service connection claims, and mental health status. The VA will seek additional records and conduct examinations to determine these issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for cervical spine and left shoulder conditions due to inadequate opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical spine disorder, right hip disorder, and left hip disorder due to additional development being required.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is service-connected as it was incurred during his active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for hemorrhoids and denied service connection for low back condition and cervical spine condition. Service connection is granted for the gastrointestinal disorder other than GERD, but not for the low back or cervical spine conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neurological condition affecting his left hand and wrist, including cervical radiculopathy, is at least as likely as not related to a period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) in March 2011. As such, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for schizophrenia, a cervical spine disability, a lumbar spine disability, hearing loss, and PTSD. The claim for service connection for gout remains denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of cervical spine, left shoulder, right shoulder, left elbow, and right elbow conditions due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, left wrist disability, and right wrist disability due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted as service-connected, with the Board resolving doubt in his favor.,Service connection for sleep apnea was denied due to lack of evidence showing it was caused or aggravated by a service-connected condition.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of various conditions due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disorders are granted as service connected.,The Veteran's tinnitus, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to insufficient evidence, including a need for new VA examinations.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for right shoulder DJD and cervical spine DDD have been granted at 20% and 20%, respectively, effective April 21, 2011.

The Veteran's cervical spine DDD has been rated at 20 percent prior to January 25, 2021 and increased to 30 percent thereafter. The claim for a higher rating is denied.,The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD continues to be rated at 20 percent. The claim for a higher rating is denied.,The Veteran’s service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment, thus the TDIU claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to issues related to obesity and its impact on erectile dysfunction, gout in feet, cervical disc condition, low back condition, and bilateral pes planus. The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability is alleged to have caused or aggravated these conditions.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as his acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are being remanded for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to lack of causation, as the Veteran's current cervical stenosis and radiculopathy were not caused by VA carelessness or negligence.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 30 percent, and the Board has remanded for further development regarding left and right upper extremity radiculopathy.