Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2023

The Veteran's neck disability is granted as service-connected, with a grant of the maximum rating (100%) effective from December 30, 2019.,For the period prior to December 30, 2019, his TBI and PTSD are rated at 100%.

The Veteran's headache disorder was granted service connection as it manifested during service and is considered to have been incurred in service. The cervical spine disorder, however, did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and the Board found insufficient evidence to establish a link between the cervical spine disorder and service-connected left shoulder dislocation.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 0 percent for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show that his hearing impairment warranted a higher rating.,The Board found insufficient evidence to support an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims for service connection for right hand, left hand, and cervical spine disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for neck, lower back and cephalgia conditions as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease that caused these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on multiple service-connected disabilities have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal of the denial of a compensable rating for residual scarring and HPV infection has been withdrawn.,The claim for an evaluation greater than 10 percent prior to January 29, 2021, for PTSD is remanded due to insufficient evidence of occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy and cervical spine degenerative arthritis and disc disease, with disc protrusion and stenosis are granted as secondary to service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted a 20 percent rating prior to July 16, 2020 and denied for ratings in excess of 20 percent thereafter. Other issues are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining service personnel records, treatment records, verification of stressors, and examinations to determine if current disabilities are related to service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for carpal tunnel, right hand and service connection for a back injury disability and nerve damage as secondary to a back injury disability.

The Veteran's claims for multiple myeloma, neck disability, low back disability, and skin cancer have been granted on the basis of service connection due to herbicide exposure under the Blue Water Navy Act.,Service connection is established for multiple myeloma as a result of herbicide exposure during active duty. The claim was reopened based on new evidence showing the Veteran's neck disability may be related to his multiple myeloma.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for thoracolumbar and cervical spine disorders due to incomplete records, inadequate medical opinions, and need for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder, chronic cervicogenic tension related headaches, compression fracture T7, right knee degenerative joint disease, cervical strain, tinnitus, and left knee patellofemoral syndrome and dermatitis, have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to January 28, 2017.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine and left shoulder disabilities, as secondary to his service-connected headache disability. The claims will be reviewed again with new medical opinions.

The Veteran's IBS is granted a 30 percent rating, but no higher. The cervical strain and abdominal hernia issues are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck, back, left hip, left shoulder, and right and left leg disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection has been decided. The rating for dry skin syndrome - dermatoheliosis and actinic keratosis remains at 10 percent, while the issues of service connection for cervical strain (neck disability), traumatic brain injury, headache, left TMJ, right ear otalgia, hearing loss, and tinnitus have all been addressed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including PTSD, right shoulder, left shoulder, back, neck, and respiratory conditions are denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining a new medical opinion regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disability with degenerative arthritis. The initial compensable rating claim for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete records and need for further examination. The issues of increased ratings for lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of lower extremities, cervical spine disability, and radiculopathy of upper extremities are being returned to the RO for further action.