Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for cervical spondylosis was denied. For the period from December 5, 2008 through May 30, 2012, a rating in excess of 30 percent is denied. Ratings of 30 percent are granted for periods prior to and after this date.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions and missing records. The issues of service connection for cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and TDIU are being reviewed.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine disability with bilateral radiculopathy of upper extremities, right lower extremity radiculopathy/sciatica/neuropathy, and bilateral peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities. The claims were remanded due to need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and neck disabilities, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for neck and back disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations. The claims are now pending with instructions to obtain additional records and conduct further evaluations.

The Veteran's cervical radiculopathy of the right and left hand is granted service connection, as it is caused by his service-connected arthritis of the cervical spine. The Veteran's right knee disorder is denied as not related to service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for refractive error has been reopened, and he is now receiving a 50 percent rating for his vascular headaches prior to July 19, 2021. The issue of higher ratings for his vascular headaches from July 19, 2021 remains remanded.,The Veteran's hypertension, stroke/cerebral vascular accident (claimed as residuals of stroke), fibromyalgia, cervical spine disorder, and bilateral hearing loss are all being remanded for further review.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected headache disability and other disabilities render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, qualifying for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability. Additionally, his single service-connected disability (headache) combined with additional disabilities independently rated at 60% qualify him for special monthly compensation at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not related to any presumptive exposure. The claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

Service connection is granted for cervical spondylosis, stenosis, and degenerative disc disease.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted service connection and rated at 10 percent.,Service connection for lumbosacral spine disability is granted with an effective date of February 21, 2018. The Veteran's gastric ulcer with gastritis remains rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's right medial epicondylitis and cervical spine disabilities are being remanded for further examination to determine their current severity.

The Board has found that there was not substantial compliance with its remand instructions and thus the case is being returned to the RO for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and addressing potential exposure to environmental contaminants during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, and the Board has remanded several issues including cervical spine disability, right wrist disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), low back condition, and cervical spine condition due to incomplete development of his service connection claims.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disability, finding that the evidence does not support a causal relationship to service.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disability, finding no evidence of its onset in service or relationship to active duty. The Veteran's current degenerative arthritis was attributed to normal wear and tear over time.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to his death during the appeal process.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected neck disability is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and consideration of new medical evidence.