Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's neck disability and radiculopathy have been granted with specific ratings, but the issue of a higher rating for his low back disability is being remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for neck disability, back disability, left hip disability, left knee disability, and bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of a current disability that is related to service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for the issues of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and entitlement to service connection for a head condition, to include as secondary to service-connected back disability. The remaining issues have been remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a neck disability due to new evidence received since the last denial. The case is remanded for further development and an examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating in excess of 40 percent for spondylosis and DDD of the lumbar spine was denied.,A compensable rating prior to October 28, 2019, for the award of service connection for a lumbar spine scar associated with DDD of the lumbar spine was denied.,An effective date prior to February 5, 2015, for the award of service connection for a lumbar spine scar associated with DDD of the lumbar spine was denied.,Effective from February 24, 2014, but no earlier, the Veteran received an increased rating for his lumbar radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and right lower extremity.,An effective date prior to August 21, 2017, for a 20 percent rating for spondylosis and DDD of the cervical spine was denied.,From May 1, 2015, but no earlier, the Veteran received entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and educational assistance benefits under Chapter 35.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability and a back disability, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to her military service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on several service-connected conditions are being remanded due to outdated examination reports and the need for additional evaluations. The issues include residuals of a right 5th metacarpal fracture, cervical strain, lumbar strain, traumatic brain injury (TBI), tinnitus, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine and neck condition.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine, bilateral knee, and skin disabilities. The Veteran's current conditions are found to be related to his military service.,Service connection is also granted for asthma, with the condition being found to have been aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, cervical spine disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and paralysis of the left ulnar nerve was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of CFS or any other condition related to his claimed disabilities, and that his symptoms were already compensated in his existing service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a complete assessment of his lumbar spine disability and effective date issues due to incomplete records. The lumbar spine claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in previous opinions and a need for new opinions from an examiner other than Dr. Sirisha Koneru.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability, including degenerative joint disease (DJD), C7 nerve root impingement, and spondylosis with radiculopathy, is related to his military service. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine as there was no evidence showing a nexus to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and additional development is needed.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine disability, finding that the evidence did not show a neck injury or disability during active duty and is not otherwise related to an in-service injury.

The Board has denied service connection for left ankle and left knee disabilities, as well as cervical spine disability. The claims of urinary incontinence and psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depressive disorder) are secondary to a lumbar spine disability.,Service connection is also denied for the Veteran's lumbar disc herniation at L4-L5 S/P laminectomy; spondylosis and right sided radiculopathy, as well as his cervical spine disability. The Board has remanded these claims for further development.

The Veteran's cervical spine DDD has been granted service connection. The left foot metatarsalgia is also found to be related to the service-connected left ankle disability.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was denied as there is no current diagnosis of this condition.

The Veteran's appeals for hearing loss, lumbosacral strain, bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, and cervical spine condition have all been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

Service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine and right leg radiculopathy is granted effective November 5, 2008.,Service connection for cervical spine degenerative arthritis, headaches, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy as secondary to cervical spine degenerative arthritis are all granted effective November 5, 2008.