Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence in the August 2020 opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current cervical spine disability is related to service, including his in-service injuries.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and service connection due to incomplete medical opinions regarding flare-ups at earlier examinations. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's neck disability and right shoulder disability are rated at the minimum compensable levels, but there is evidence of functional loss due to pain. The Board finds that a higher rating is warranted for both conditions.,For the period prior to January 19, 2006, the Veteran's right shoulder disability was rated as 20 percent disabling and her neck disability as 10 percent disabling. For the period beginning January 19, 2006, the Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent and her neck disability remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and cervical spine, as well as his hip disabilities, have been granted. The hip disability claims are remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is not service-connected, and the Board denied his claim for service connection.,The cause of death was ruled out as being related to any service-connected condition. The Veteran died from secondary infectious complications due to quadriplegia caused by a fall unrelated to service.

The appeal for service connection for a right hip disorder is dismissed. The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for a right hip disorder is granted, and entitlement to service connection for a right hip disorder is granted. The rating for cervical spine disability is remanded, as are ratings for left upper extremity radiculopathy and right upper extremity radiculopathy. The issue of TDIU prior to November 3, 2011, is also remanded.

The Veteran's DDD of the cervical spine and gastritis are granted as service-connected. The Veteran is also remanded for further examinations to determine the severity of his lumbar degenerative disc disease, left knee, right knee, and ulcer conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection of his cervical spine degenerative disc disease as secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's testimony was heard and his SSA disability benefits were noted. The case is being remanded to obtain the Veteran's complete SSA records.

The Board denied a higher rating for the Veteran's cervical spine disability, finding that her symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on incapacitating episodes or limitation of motion.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and bilateral shoulder disability, as well as the claims for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status, and temporary total rating based upon the need for post-surgical convalescence following right shoulder surgery. More development is needed to address these issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of adequate VA examination and failure to ensure compliance with duty to assist. The Veteran's cervical spondylosis disability is being reviewed for a higher rating prior to January 23, 2020.

The Board dismissed all claims for service connection due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's neck disorder, diagnosed as degenerative disc disease of the thoracic spine with left cervical radiculopathy, had its onset during his active-duty service and is now granted service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for cervical strain disability and remanded his claims for service connection for various nerve disorders. The decision also noted that additional medical opinions are needed to address the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, OSA, cervical spine degenerative joint disease with radiculopathy, left ribs contusion, right elbow strain, bilateral hand strain and degenerative arthritis (other than posttraumatic) of the bilateral hands, and low back degenerative disc disease have been granted.

Effective dates of June 1, 2006 for LLE radiculopathy and April 13, 2015 for RUE and LUE radiculopathy have been granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities are being remanded due to outstanding records and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, so the case is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various spinal and knee disorders, as well as a sarcoma of the neck. The VA will conduct further development to obtain relevant records and provide additional examinations to address the issues.