Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected muscle wound of the right neck is granted a disability rating of 30 percent. The ratings for paralysis of the right vocal cords, cervical compression fracture, and anterior neck scarring are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's treatment at a non-VA facility on September 7, 2017 was for an emergent condition and that seeking treatment at a VA or federal facility was not feasibly available. Therefore, the claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to service, while his bilateral hip, left knee, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disabilities are not. The Board has remanded the issue of a left-hand disability.

The Veteran's cervical strain condition is being remanded for a new examination to assess the current severity and any neurological complications.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation from August 8, 2017 to December 26, 2017. The Board granted entitlement to TDIU during this period.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of service-connected residual burns right anterior trunk has been granted. The claims for service connection for neck disability and bilateral foot disability have been remanded.

The Board has decided to remand several claims for additional development, including clarification of the Veteran's periods of active duty and National Guard service.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for gout, cervical spine/right arm disability, low back disability, and bilateral pes planus. The appeals are granted to this extent.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, left hip disorder, and bilateral knee disorder. The Veteran's back pain was not related to his in-service injury.,There is no evidence of any relevant condition in the Veteran’s service records or post-service treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for insomnia, finding that it is as likely as not that the Veteran had insomnia during his service and that it is more than likely attributable to his military service. Service connection was denied for cervical spine/neck disability and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that there is no nexus between the current cervical spine disability and his period of active duty. The Board also found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for secondary service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative changes of the cervical spine, left knee DJD and meniscal tear, right knee DJD and meniscal tear, and lumbar spine DJD, did not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment at any time throughout the period of appeal. The Board denied his claim for a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the cases of cervical spine disability, low back disability, bilateral pes planus, and hypertension for additional development. The Veteran's claims are not currently addressed as they pertain to service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities of the right shoulder, neck, right hip, and back did not begin during service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar, cervical, and right shoulder DJD, as well as lichen simplex chronicus, are being remanded for further evaluation due to increased symptom severity reported during his December 2020 hearing.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives and insufficient reasoning in the VA opinions provided.

The Veteran is rendered unable to maintain substantially gainful employment as a result of service-connected disabilities from April 12, 2012 to June 28, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and awarded a separate 10 percent rating for left knee instability. The Veteran's left knee medial meniscus tear is rated at the minimum compensable level.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding his in-service exposure to an IED blast. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a cervical spine disability, which he contends was caused by combat exposure during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board is remanding them due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.