Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeal for an initial, compensable rating for hydrocele, status post left orchiectomy has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claim during a Board hearing. The remaining issues on appeal have been remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional VA examinations and to obtain outstanding VA treatment records. The issues of initial increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, cervical spine strain, limitation of flexion due to right hip trochanteric pain syndrome, limitation of flexion due to left hip trochanteric pain syndrome, impairment of the thigh due to right hip trochanteric pain syndrome, and impairment of the thigh due to left hip trochanteric pain syndrome are remanded. The issue of TDIU is also remanded.

The claims have been reopened, but further examination and evidence are needed to determine the nature and etiology of various disabilities.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and attempting to obtain records from identified providers. The Veteran's claims are currently pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to difficulties in contacting him and obtaining necessary medical opinions. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and thoracic spine disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of significant trauma in the August 2003 automobile accident or any link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for asthma has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,The claims for bilateral pes planus and left ankle disorder have also been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition was granted a disability rating of 20 percent prior to June 20, 2017 and increased to 30 percent from June 20, 2017 to October 22, 2019. The appeal for higher ratings is denied after that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, thus the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a right knee disability, finding that the Veteran's conditions were not related to his military service or VA treatment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine and low back disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.,Service connection was not granted as the Veteran did not provide sufficient evidence to establish a link between his current conditions and his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted with effective dates of December 29, 2014.,These decisions are based on the Veteran filing her claims electronically in the VA eBenefits system prior to submitting a formal claim.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the eligibility criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment under VA regulations.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disability are currently rated as noncompensable. The cervical spine, bilateral hip, shoulder, hand, foot, lumbar spine, and left knee disabilities have not been service connected.,The Board finds that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's current cervical spine, bilateral hip, shoulder, hand, foot, lumbar spine, and left knee disabilities are related to his INACDUTRA or aggravated by a preexisting right knee disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to address certain factors in the previous decisions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various joint disabilities associated with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome have been denied. The RO has granted additional service connection and assigned new ratings, but the Veteran is not entitled to higher ratings under current regulations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed. The Board found that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the previously denied claims of service connection for a back disability, right arm disability, radiculopathy (right lower extremity), and radiculopathy (left lower extremity).

The Board has ordered additional development for the Veteran's cervical spine disability and left and right foot disabilities due to remand requirements. The issues of service connection, initial ratings, and hallux valgus are all being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar disability, CAD, cervical spine disability, right shoulder disability, left arm disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claims were not supported by clear and unmistakable evidence showing the conditions pre-existed service or were aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's right shoulder and cervical spine disabilities, specifically whether these conditions are related to service.