Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2021

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities effective October 27, 2012. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted and others not.

The Veteran's cervical strain, arthritis, and IVDS with radiculopathy of bilateral upper extremities are not service-connected. The VA examiners found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for neck, right shoulder, and left hip disabilities due to conflicting evidence and outstanding records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed cervical spine disability. The case will be returned for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a clinician.

The Veteran is granted an initial rating of 30 percent for his cervical spine disability prior to January 8, 2018 (excluding a period of temporary total evaluation from May 26, 2016 to June 20, 2016).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including neck, hip, leg, knee, and ankle conditions. The claims are being returned to VA for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to provide adequate assistance in obtaining private medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 70 percent for bipolar disorder with alcohol abuse, a rating in excess of 20 percent for a cervical spine disability, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The claims are being remanded for additional examinations and consideration.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine has been granted. The Veteran is now rated at 10 percent for the thoracolumbar spine from February 4, 2004 to October 29, 2004, and at 40 percent for the cervical spine beginning August 9, 2007.

The Board has found the November 2020 VA addendum opinion inadequate and remanded for further development, including obtaining an adequate etiological opinion regarding whether the Veteran's cervical spine disability is related to service or secondary to his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and spondylosis of the cervical spine, finding that these conditions are not related to active military service.

The claims for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea, left shoulder disability, neck disability, and acquired psychiatric disability have been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inextricably intertwined issues with his claim for cervical spondylosis. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy, right knee disability, left knee disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, cervicogenic headaches, and right carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board denied service connection for low back, neck, right knee, and left knee disabilities. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has denied service connection for emphysema, heart disability, obstructive sleep apnea, psychiatric disability (including anxiety disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)), memory loss, right shoulder and cervical spine disability, skin disability, and vertigo. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions on the issues of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine disability and cervical spine disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability as secondary to his service-connected knee and low back disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of a direct link between these conditions.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck disability and sleep apnea due to inadequate medical opinions and incomplete development of records.