Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury is denied. The Board grants a total disability rating based on individual unemployability from October 21, 2004 to May 5, 2016.

The Board has remanded several claims related to the Veteran's neck strain and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, hip strains, TBI residuals, and lumbar spine disability due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's OSA, back disability, and neck disability may be related to service. However, due to insufficient evidence for a definitive opinion on the etiology of these conditions, the claims are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability has rendered him totally occupationally and socially impaired, resulting in a 100 percent disability evaluation for the entire period on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle disability, residuals of TBI, cervical spine disability, and low back disability are not fully addressed due to incomplete medical opinions. The cases have been remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck disability began during his active service and granted service connection for it.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in prior VA examinations and the need for additional retrospective opinions. The issues include increases in ratings for low back strain, cervical spine strain, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of an upper back disability and remanded other claims due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is required to provide additional medical opinions regarding his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's cervical strain and djd, lumbar strain and thoracolumbar djd, right lower extremity sciatica, left lower extremity sciatica, and right hip bursitis are all related to his service-connected left ankle problem. The Board has determined that additional VA opinions are needed to determine the relationship between these conditions and his service-connected disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for cervical disc disease, neuropathy of the right upper extremity, and neuropathy of the left upper extremity. The Board also found that these conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's cervical spine, right knee, left ankle, sinusitis, and rhinitis disabilities. Additionally, new examinations are required to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed bilateral foot, CFS, and bilateral hearing disability.

The Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities are granted as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic right shoulder disability, claimed as right shoulder pain; dry eye syndrome; cataracts; and dental disability (teeth grinding) have been denied. The claim for service connection for lumbosacral spine disability has been reopened but not granted. The claim for service connection for hearing loss remains denied.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim of service connection for cervical spine disability was granted. Service connection for tourettism and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, secondary to tourettism, on a causation basis, were also granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the cervical spine and chronic strain of the lumbar spine due to the need for contemporaneous VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been withdrawn. The Board has found that the Veteran wishes to withdraw his claims for cervical spine condition, psychiatric disability, and lumbar strain.

The reduction in the rating for cervical spine disorder from 30% to 20% was not proper, and the 30% rating is restored.,Entitlement to a greater than 40% rating for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with spondylosis is denied.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of service connection for right knee disorder. Service connection is granted for right knee arthritis status post total knee replacement.

The Board has determined that further examination and opinion are needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including her bilateral wrist disorders, cervical spine disorder, right foot disorder, left foot disorder, and dizziness. The case is being remanded for these purposes.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, left knee, and right knee disorders due to his death.