Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2022

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that there is no causal link between his cervical spine disability and his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the cervical spine disorder, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a nerve condition of the left upper extremity was denied. The appeal is also remanded for further development regarding service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine. For the entire appeal period, entitlement to a 70 percent rating for depressive disorder and a 20 percent rating for right knee instability are granted.

The Board has denied service connection for a sinus disability due to lack of current diagnosis. Service connection for a cervical spine disability is remanded as the evidence is insufficient and requires further examination.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a cervical spine disability is remanded due to incomplete development of his service records and treatment records. The Regional Office must obtain all outstanding service personnel and medical records from the Veteran's period of service in the Army National Guard of Puerto Rico, specifically from October 1979 to May 2009.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee, hip, shoulder, and neck disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between his current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck condition is being remanded due to the need for an additional medical opinion from his private doctor.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for cervical degenerative disc disease and bilateral heel spurs have been withdrawn. The remaining claims are remanded for further development.,The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis, unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder, scar, left palm, and dermatophytosis are remanded.

The Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy was rated at 40 percent disabling from October 10, 2018. The combined rating of his service-connected disabilities is currently 90 percent since September 11, 2019, which meets the criteria for TDIU. However, the Board has remanded the issue due to inadequate discussion in the previous decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service connection claims for chronic lumbar spine disability and cervical-spine disability, including as secondary to a lumbar-spine disability. The TDIU claim is also deferred pending completion of the requested addendum opinion.

The Board has dismissed all appeals related to the Veteran's service connection claims for various knee conditions and cervical spine issues due to his death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, as well as his claims for increased ratings for right upper extremity radiculopathy and left upper extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran is also being asked to provide additional evidence regarding his TDIU claim from February 13, 2012 to August 27, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, increased rating for PTSD from May 1, 2017, and TDIU prior to May 1, 2017 was dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 30% for PTSD prior to May 1, 2017 is also dismissed.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD has been granted.,Service connection is also granted for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral cervical radiculopathy of the upper extremities, secondary to degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and thoracic/lumbar spine, both secondary to left shoulder fracture.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for back, cervical spine, bilateral ankle, and bilateral hip disabilities due to insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for neurological disorders of the left and right upper extremities have been denied as there is no evidence that these conditions had their onset during service or are related to a service-connected disability.,The VA examinations provided opinions indicating that the Veteran's current neurological disorders are not caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's cervical spine, right shoulder, left shoulder, right knee, left knee, and vertigo disabilities are granted as service-connected.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine disorder, tinnitus, and headaches. The Veteran's current conditions are related to her in-service injuries.