Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of his left groin scars and IBS, as well as his request to reopen service connection for a cervical spine strain with disc bulging at C5-6, were dismissed. The appeal for service connection for the left varicocele was remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities as secondary to his bilateral knee disabilities have been granted. His right and left total knee replacements are rated at the maximum schedular rating of 60 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities due to a fall in service. The case is being returned for further development, including new examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed as the Veteran requested to withdraw his claims.,The Veteran's appeal for a left ear surgical scar was remanded due to unclear evidence regarding the existence and nature of any scars.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were withdrawn by his attorney, resulting in the dismissal of all claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claims for service connection for cervical spine disorder and left knee disorder have been granted. The case is REMANDED for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of the cervical spine disorder and addressing secondary service connection for radiculopathy.

The Board dismissed all appeals as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's claims for payment of non-VA medical expenses on June 15, 2015 and September 17, 2015 were denied as there was no indication that the treatment was for a condition requiring immediate medical attention.,For the June 15, 2015 incident, the Board found that the Veteran's back pain did not meet the criteria of an emergency condition. For September 17, 2015, the Board determined there was no indication VA sent the Veteran to Fawcett Memorial Hospital.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to procedural issues and the need for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and conducting a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations. The issues include TBI, Left Shoulder Disorder, peripheral neuropathies of upper and lower extremities, and PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied as the evidence does not show she was unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral lower extremities radiculopathy and cervical spine disability, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's low back disability, radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, and neck disability are all rated at 40 percent effective January 31, 2020. The claim for TDIU is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for systemic arthritis, left knee disability, right leg disability, lumbar spine disability, thoracic spine disability, cervical spine disability, and bilateral hip disabilities due to incomplete examinations and potential misapplication of medical standards.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 30% from March 31, 2022. The Board denied higher ratings for the periods prior to and after this date.

The Veteran was previously working and earning above the poverty threshold, but due to his service-connected disabilities, he is now unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU from April 22, 2017.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative spondylosis is rated at 40 percent effective October 15, 2013. The rating for left upper extremity radiculopathy was also granted but not discussed in detail as it does not affect the overall decision.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical condition, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, IVDS of the cervical spine, right upper extremity neuralgia, left upper extremity neuralgia, right upper extremity neuritis, and left upper extremity neuritis as secondary to a cervical condition.,Effective December 1, 2015, the Veteran's service-connected right knee flexion was rated at 10 percent. From November 21, 2016 to March 24, 2018, it was rated at 30 percent. Since then, it has been rated at 10 percent.