Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and maintain a substantially gainful occupation from June 24, 2014. The Board granted a TDIU rating effective from that date.

The Board has determined that new VA examinations and opinions are necessary to address the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee and cervical spine disorders before these claims can be adjudicated.

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy was rated at 10 percent prior to December 14, 2013 and at 20 percent thereafter. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating for any period.,The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine was rated at 20 percent from July 29, 2011. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating for any period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted for additional special monthly compensation (SMC).

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hysterectomy and cervical spine degenerative disc disease, as well as her claim for service connection for breast reduction surgery. The Board found that the breast reduction surgery was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his cervical spine, left shoulder, and bilateral knee disabilities have been granted. However, the case has been remanded for further evaluation of additional issues.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable evaluation for pseudofolliculitis barbae has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.,Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has dismissed all the issues related to increased disability ratings for various spinal and arm conditions as well as a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and readjudication, including issuing a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) regarding the issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and whether new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of service connection for cervical spine disability. The issues of a rating in excess of 20 percent for DJD of the cervical spine and total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) are also remanded.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and degenerative joint disease of the upper and lower back have been granted service connection. The Board has also remanded for further examination to determine the nature and etiology of hypertension, degenerative joint disease of the arms, elbows, wrists, shoulders, neck, and a heart condition.

The Board has granted service connection for neck, back, bilateral knee, bilateral ankle, and bilateral hip disabilities on a direct basis. The claim for sleep disorder, including sleep apnea, is remanded for further development.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU rating for the period from July 1, 2016 to August 31, 2018. For the periods prior to and after this date, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastritis and GERD is remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding the effective date and initial rating assigned.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability, left knee disability, and right hip disorder are remanded as additional examinations are needed to address functional loss during flare-ups and on repetitive use over time.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to June 19, 2009, is referred to the Director, Compensation Service, due to insufficient evidence showing unemployability by reason of service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate examination reports and a need for new VA examinations to determine the severity of the Veteran's neck and back disabilities prior to October 17, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral knee disability and remanded the issues of service connection for lumbar spine disorder, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, urinary incontinence, and cervical spine disorder.

The Veteran's cervical strain disability is granted as service-connected. The appeals for arthritis of the right hand, left hand, right elbow, and left elbow are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability and radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Veteran's interstitial cystitis and cervical radiculopathy right upper extremity are granted service connection as they were incurred during active duty.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of back and neck disabilities due to improvement in his conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the etiology of his cervical spine disability, assess the severity of his lumbar spondylosis, right knee strain, left knee degenerative joint disease, and TDIU. The issues on appeal include service connection for a cervical spine disability, increased ratings for lumbar spondylosis, right knee strain, and left knee degenerative joint disease, as well as TDIU.