Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to outstanding VA treatment records and untranslated Spanish documents. The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for his service-connected cervical disability remains under consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to need for further development, including additional evidence submission and consideration of new medical findings.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied, and he was granted a TDIU effective October 1, 2020. His cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of cervical radiculopathy, as secondary to a thoracolumbar spine disability due to additional evidence being added to the record.

The Veteran's right shoulder impingement syndrome with bicipital tendonitis and subacromial bursitis is rated at 20 percent effective July 7, 2004 until prior to April 13, 2010 and then effective November 1, 2010.,The Veteran's cervical degenerative disc disease with herniation at C5-C6 and C6-C7 levels with cervical myositis is rated at 20 percent since July 7, 2004. The claim for increased rating remains on appeal.,The Veteran's lumbosacral degenerative disc disease with bulging disc at L1-L2 level with lumbar myositis has not been service connected.

The Board denied a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, finding that they did not render him unemployable.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine was denied, and his claim for TDIU was also denied as he did not meet the percentage requirements set forth in the schedular criteria.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's upper back and cervical spine disabilities, as well as her lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis. The Veteran is requested to provide records of chiropractic treatment and physical therapy from 2014-2015, and a VA examination will be scheduled for her cervical spine or upper back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment since April 25, 2008.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability, headache disability, and left shoulder disability. The decision finds that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to her active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 29, 2008 for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not show that he was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due solely to his service-connected conditions during this period.

The Veteran's service-connected musculoskeletal and associated neurological disabilities have rendered him physically incapable of meeting the demands of full-time employment, allowing for a TDIU effective prior to August 8, 2019.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his combined disability ratings do not meet the criteria for TDIU and there is insufficient evidence of record regarding his employment status.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence for service connection of various conditions, including cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, right knee disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorders. The Veteran needs to provide private treatment records related to these conditions.

The Veteran's cervical intervertebral disc disease is related to her military duties and has been granted service connection.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to their death.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back, neck, right leg disabilities and left thumb and index finger numbness. The decision resolves all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder strain, left shoulder strain, and cervical spine degenerative arthritis as these conditions are found to have started during the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be service-connected, with an effective date of March 21, 2017.,An earlier effective date of March 21, 2017 for the 40 percent rating assigned for lumbosacral strain and discogenic disease is granted.,Service connection for a gastrointestinal disability (claimed as diverticulosis) is remanded due to lack of evidence regarding its relationship with service-connected conditions.,Service connection for a prostate disability (claimed as prostate cancer) is remanded due to lack of evidence regarding its relationship with service-connected conditions.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, heart condition, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus are all remanded due to lack of evidence regarding their relationships with service-connected conditions.,Service connection for osteopenia is remanded due to lack of evidence regarding its relationship with service-connected conditions.,Service connection for a cervical spine disability is remanded due to lack of evidence regarding its relationship with service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for COPD, hypertension, and asbestosis due to new evidence received since the last final decision.