Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, bilateral hip strain, bilateral knee arthritis, and cervical spine degenerative disc disease due to inadequate or missing VA opinions on causation and aggravation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in a combined rating of 100 percent prior to November 13, 2017. However, the Board finds that his single disability rated at 100 percent does not render him unemployable due to these conditions alone.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of forward flexion to 15 degrees or less. The issue of TDIU has been granted, subject to further development.,Service connection for basal cell carcinoma was remanded and issues for left and right hallux rigidus were also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical disorder and secondary service connection for left-hand tremors, finding that the Veteran's preexisting conditions were aggravated by his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding medical records and uncompleted VA examinations.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis from January 9, 2017, through March 13, 2017. The criteria for entitlement to a TDIU were met due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's complete service treatment records and personnel records, as well as his VA treatment records from Las Vegas. The claims for service connection are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various shoulder and spine disabilities, as well as a knee disability, due to inadequate medical opinions regarding secondary causation. The VA is instructed to obtain new addendum opinions from an appropriate examiner.

The Veteran's cervical spine, low back, right knee, left knee, and right shoulder disabilities are being remanded for further development.,New evidence has been submitted to reopen claims for service connection of these conditions.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 30 percent effective March 21, 2005.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical degenerative disc disease, right arm and shoulder disability, and left arm and thumb disability due to new evidence that may be relevant to his service connection claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disability due to new and material evidence received since the November 2010 rating decision. However, the issue of whether the current neck disability is related to service or secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis remains pending.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for a headache disability and stomach disability, but remanded the cases due to insufficient development. The cervical spine disability claim is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a cervical spine disorder, finding that there is no evidence showing the condition was manifested in service or to a compensable degree within one year following separation from active duty.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that it is not related to his military service or secondary to his already determined lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU effective January 29, 2016. Additionally, the Board found that he is eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits beginning on this date.,The earlier effective date for DEA benefits is also set to January 29, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for corneal scarring with photophobia was denied as the evidence did not show more than minimal visual impairment or incapacitating episodes.,Service connection for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine and thoracic lumbar spine were both denied due to lack of in-service injury, event, or disease; no continuity of symptoms since service; and no medical nexus between current conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar degenerative joint disease and cervical disability, to include cervical sprain and cervical spondylosis. The remand is due to inadequate medical opinions in the original decision.

The Veteran's current hearing loss is of service origin, and the Board has granted entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The cervical spine disorder, left elbow disorder, and right elbow disorder claims are remanded due to lack of proper development regarding periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty training (IDT). The Veteran's allergic rhinitis claim is also remanded as the last VA examination was in 2018.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right eye disability, left eye disability, cervical spine disability, right ankle disability, and erectile dysfunction. The claims are inextricably intertwined with the TDIU claim prior to September 28, 2009, which is also being remanded.