Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim to reopen entitlement to service connection for a low back disability has been granted. The issues of entitlement to service connection for various other conditions have also been remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical spine disability and right upper extremity radiculopathy. The case is being remanded to consider additional evidence.

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

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus, right knee degenerative joint disease, left knee replacement, cervical spine disorder (including cervical strain, cervical degenerative spondylosis, and degenerative disc disease with stenosis and myelopathy), right shoulder calcific bursitis, left shoulder degenerative arthritis, right cervical radiculopathy, left cervical radiculopathy, right wrist strain, left wrist strain, right hand strain, and left hand strain are all granted. The Veteran's foot disorder other than bilateral pes planus and back disorder are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence. The issues include cervical spine disability, bilateral shoulder disability, right knee disability, and lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and consideration of new evidence. The case will be referred to the Director, Compensation Service, if the Veteran does not meet schedular criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative joint and disc disease of the cervical spine, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been denied. The claim for PTSD is being remanded.,Service connection was granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's cervical spine, lumbar spine, left knee, right knee, and cognitive impairment (memory loss) disabilities are all granted as service-connected.,New evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for cervical radiculopathy of the right upper extremity and cervical herniated nucleus pulposus at C5-C6, as well as his initial rating claim for CAD prior to June 18, 2018, TDIU from August 11, 2011 to June 18, 2018, and SMC based on the housebound criteria from October 1, 2018 to March 2, 2020 were denied. The Veteran's CAD was initially rated at 60 percent prior to June 18, 2018, and then increased to 100 percent effective October 1, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, cervical spine, and thoracolumbar spine disorders due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to active service.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral lower extremity neurological disability, but the issues of service connection for a neck or cervical spine disability and entitlement to TDIU are remanded due to inadequate VA examination.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and bilateral shoulder disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are as likely as not related to her in-service duties.

The Veteran's major neurocognitive disorder is granted as secondary to service-connected hypertension. The right ankle and neck disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a bilateral foot disorder and cervical spine disorder, as secondary to service-connected disabilities due to insufficient opinions in the March 2013 VA examination report.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for back disability, bilateral hip condition, and neck disability due to insufficient evidence. The claims are pending further development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various knee, shoulder, lumbar spine, and cervical spine disorders due to in-service cold exposure. Additional medical evidence is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right shoulder conditions, back condition, and neck condition as secondary to epilepsy. The VA examinations did not provide adequate detail in their nexus opinions.