Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2023

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 60 percent since April 29, 2021. The cervical spine and glaucoma claims are denied as secondary to service-connected disabilities. Service connection for a lumbar spine disability remains denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical DDD, right shoulder degenerative arthritis, and left shoulder degenerative arthritis as there is no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following any substantially gainful employment from April 17, 2010 to November 15, 2012.,From November 16, 2012 to September 10, 2013, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities significantly impacted his ability to obtain and maintain any substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and additional evidentiary development is required, including a VA examination for carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a cervical spine disability and TDIU due to insufficient opinions regarding secondary service connection, as well as potential aggravation of his current disability by other service-connected conditions.

The Board has dismissed all claims as the Veteran withdrew their appeal by requesting a Higher-Level Review and opting all claims from the April 10, 2020 decision into the Appeals Modernization Act.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left ear hearing loss, neck condition (cervical spine), back condition (cervical spine), left breast condition, muscle atrophy, left foot condition, and right foot condition have been granted. The rating of 20 percent has been restored for the left cervical sensory loss, circumflex nerve.

The Board denied service connection for cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities, finding that the conditions were not related to service.

The Veteran is granted a 30% rating for his service-connected neck scars and cervical tuberculosis adenitis, effective January 27, 1997.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine disorder with radiculopathy, a scar (neck), and left upper extremity radiculopathy. However, the effective dates for these grants are denied as they were not based on new evidence or SDRs.

The Veteran's right shoulder tendonitis and cervical strain have been rated at 20 percent, but the lumbar degenerative disc disease with strain has not met the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for IBS, PTSD, cervical strain, lumbosacral strain, and migraines have been remanded due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted. Service connection and initial ratings for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, left lumbar radiculopathy, right knee disability, left knee disability, cervical spine disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, right elbow disability, and left elbow disability are denied. Service connection for major depressive disorder is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. � 1151 and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding causation.

The Veteran's low back pain with degenerative disc disease and spondylolisthesis status post posterior lumbar interbody fusion is granted at a 40 percent evaluation. The issue of service connection for a neck disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since January 10, 2017. The Board has determined that the criteria for TDIU were met as of January 10, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical and thoracic spine disabilities is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence that is relevant to his claims.

The Veteran is granted service connection for a skin disability, right shoulder disability, and bilateral hearing loss disability. Service connection for a back disability, neck disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and adjustment disorder) is denied.,Service connection for the skin disability is established based on in-service exposure to sun and headgear restrictions.

The Board has found that new and relevant evidence has been secured with respect to the claim of cervical spine condition (claimed as neck pain), and therefore, reconsideration is warranted. The Veteran's bilateral degenerative arthritis of the knees was aggravated beyond its natural progression due to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for additional retroactive VA disability compensation benefits under the Concurrent Retirement and Disability Payment (CRDP) program is remanded due to insufficient information from the retired pay center and DFAS records. The AOJ must provide a detailed review of the Veteran's compensation award, specifically for the period prior to April 1, 2019.