Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as there is no current disability of a hearing loss disability for VA purposes. The issues of entitlement to service connection for migraine headaches, lumbosacral and thoracic strain, patellofemoral pain syndrome (right knee), patellofemoral pain syndrome (left knee), and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, but has remanded the claim for secondary service connection of a left wrist disorder due to right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has granted service connection for right thumb/wrist joint pain, left thumb/wrist joint pain, and right elbow joint pain as incurred during the Veteran's Persian Gulf service. Service connection was denied for other conditions.

The Board has granted a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis prior to February 11, 2022, finding that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The appeal as to whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability is dismissed.,The appeal seeking entitlement to service connection for gout is dismissed.,New and material evidence having been received, the claims for service connection for right hip disability and left hip disability are reopened; to this extent only, the appeals are granted.,New and material evidence having been received, the claim for service connection for interstitial cystitis is reopened; to this extent only, the appeal is granted.,The appeals seeking entitlement to service connection for headaches and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and anxiety) are remanded.

The Veteran's left upper extremity radiculopathy and cervical spine disability have been granted a rating of 60 percent, effective November 10, 2010. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion to address the etiology of any current cervical spine disorder, including whether it is related to service or caused by a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, as there is insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran's cervical spine condition or depression are related to his service-connected DDD, lumbosacral strain.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disability, which may be related to service or fibromyalgia.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his active military service and does not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability and neck disability, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but no higher. Service connection for allergic rhinitis, residuals of a crush injury to the right hand, cervical spine disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, and bilateral plantar fasciitis are all granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial disability ratings for his bilateral shoulder and neck disabilities, as well as his left and right knee disabilities. The appeals are now pending with the VA Regional Office.

The Board has restored the 20 percent rating for cervical spine disability from January 5, 2021 to February 28, 2021. The remaining claims of entitlement to increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to procedural issues.