Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for spasmodic torticollis and cervical spondylosis, with cervical spine degenerative disc disease (DDD), finding that the Veteran's neck disability was caused by her prescribed use of Compazine during active service.,Service connection has also been granted for cervicogenic dizziness as secondary to the Veteran's spasmodic torticollis.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's cervical spine condition is related to his active service and is not secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine condition. However, further medical opinions are needed to support these determinations.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence received after the May 2017 SOC. The AOJ must review all additional VA treatment records and consider them in their decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for an evaluation of the cervical spine disability, including a determination on whether functional ankylosis is present. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its inextricably intertwined nature with the rating issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of cervical spine or lumbar spine disabilities, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions.,For his heart disability (mitral valve prolapse), the Board finds that there is insufficient evidence to determine whether it was incurred in service. The examiner's opinion appears based on inaccurate factual premises.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck condition and right knee condition, but these claims are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disability and insomnia, finding that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of a cervical spine disability and headaches as the RO granted these claims in September 2021, effective January 30, 2014.

The Board denied service connection for thoracolumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as left and right lower extremity radiculopathies. The decision also noted that the Veteran's special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance is remanded.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.,The Veteran's dermatitis is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board does not find any evidence supporting a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his neurological disorders, bilateral dry eye syndrome, and carpal tunnel syndrome. The issues are related to in-service boxing, rigors of in-service job duties, and January to May 1991 pertinent elbow treatment.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for cyst/growth of the groin and neck, upper back, and/or cervical spine as they are not related to service.

The Board has granted a 30 percent disability rating for the service-connected tension headaches, but has remanded the issues regarding cervical and lumbar spine disabilities due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, Lumbosacral Degenerative Joint Disease, Left Shoulder Strain, Right Shoulder Strain, Cervical Spine Degenerative Joint Disease with Spondylosis, Tinnitus, and Right Knee Meniscal Tear Residuals, prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's application to reopen service connection for a cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and OCD was granted. The Veteran is now rated at 100% for her service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, migraines, fecal incontinence, psoriasis, temporomandibular joints syndrome, vaginal episiotomy, residual scar, hemorrhoids, and residual scar associated with fecal incontinence. As a result, the Veteran is granted TDIU.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine disability, low back disability, right shoulder disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The issues of entitlement to service connection for these conditions are all denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities to include as secondary to service-connected bilateral knee disability due to an incorrect standard applied in the previous VA medical opinions. The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine conditions are being reviewed under the correct standard of aggravation.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder and bilateral hearing loss are remanded for additional medical opinions. The lumbosacral strain, left lung spontaneous pneumothorax, narcolepsy, and right wrist fracture status post fusion of the carpal bones require new examinations to determine their current levels of severity.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining retrospective medical opinions from VA examiners.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability with radiculopathy is denied service connection. The initial 40 percent rating for lumbar spine IVDS is restored, but a higher rating is not granted. A 10 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted effective January 15, 2015, and a higher rating is denied since November 22, 2021. The initial 10 percent rating for right knee degenerative joint disease with residual joint effusion is granted effective November 1, 2007, and the initial 10 percent rating for right knee instability is restored from October 16, 2019, to November 22, 2021. The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to June 23, 2011, is remanded.