Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates prior to April 30, 2018, for the grant of service connection for various disabilities have been denied.,VA received an original formal claim on May 4, 2018, and granted service connection within one year after separation from active military service. The effective date set is the day following the Veteran's exit from active service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability (claimed as neck strain) due to new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's rating for cervical strain was reduced from 20% to 10%, effective August 1, 2019. The reduction is being restored as the VA examination used to support it was inadequate.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for Raynaud's disease and a cervical spine disability, as these conditions may be related to her service-connected disabilities. The claims will be remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU rating is currently effective since January 7, 2021. Prior to this date, he was rated as 30 percent disabled for bronchial asthma, 10 percent disabled for a thoracolumbar spine disorder, 10 percent disabled for tinnitus, and 10 percent disabled for a cervical spine disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine, right knee, left knee, and thoracolumbar spine disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions. The Veteran's service treatment records are also being sought.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claims for cervical spine disability and hypertension has been granted. The claim of service connection for a right knee condition as secondary to service-connected back is remanded, and the claim of service connection for a left knee condition as secondary to service-connected back is also remanded.,Service connection for hypertension as secondary to service-connected back is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected IBS is granted, and he also receives a 40% rating for his lumbar spine disability due to the PACT Act presumption.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and PTSD are being remanded for additional development.,Right upper extremity radiculopathy, PTSD, and the effective dates of service connection and increased ratings are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a cervical spine disability, right fifth finger injury, and sleep apnea has been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected under the PACT Act.,Service connection for a cervical spine disability is denied.,A rating of 70 percent, but no higher, for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (all radicular groups) is granted.,A rating of 60 percent, but no higher, for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (all radicular groups) is granted.,A rating of 60 percent, but no higher, for right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (sciatic nerve) is granted.,A rating of 60 percent, but no higher, for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (sciatic nerve) is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence for service connection of neck disability, headache and sleep disabilities, and acquired psychiatric disability. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and benefits related to her TBI and other conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and rating of a back disability due to deficiencies in VA examinations. The Veteran's complaints of numbness are also being considered as they may raise a claim for cervical spine condition with left arm radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to insufficient evidence or need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hip disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorder, and cervical spine disorder due to inadequate medical opinions. The VA will obtain new medical opinions addressing whether these conditions are related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for right cervical radiculopathy (claimed as right arm pain) has been dismissed because the appellant withdrew her appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, and impingement syndrome with a partial rotator cuff tear of the left shoulder based on credible evidence of in-service injury.

The Veteran's cervical strain with osteoarthritis is currently rated at 10 percent from November 27, 2017, through December 13, 2022, and at 30 percent since December 14, 2022. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating for any period.