Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2023

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a separate disability of the back other than cervical strain and for left ring finger fracture, to include scarring, as secondary to service-connected cervical strain. The claim for increased rating for cervical strain was also denied.,There is no indication that any exposure basis (e.g., burn pit, Agent Orange, Camp Lejeune) played a role in the Veteran's conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disability. The claim will be reviewed with a new VA opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to changes in his symptoms and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inextricably intertwined issues of service connection for a cervical spine disability and an increased evaluation for right shoulder impingement syndrome. The TDIU claim will be deferred until these issues are resolved.

The appeals for service connection for the listed disabilities are dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims.

The Board has granted service connection for various knee, hip, ankle, back, neck, and elbow disabilities. A 10 percent disability rating is also granted for headaches.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's cervical spine and low back disabilities. The effective date issue is resolved with an October 31, 2016 effective date for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral knee, ankle, and shoulder disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions and lack of continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis from February 13, 2013 to December 26, 2013. The Veteran's service-connected conditions left him unable to work as a contractor during this period.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to SMC at the housebound rate, right and left knee disabilities for extraschedular consideration. The Veteran's service-connected conditions include major depressive disorder, cervical spine disability, total knee replacements on both knees, gout in multiple joints, and other musculoskeletal conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The cases of bilateral hearing loss, vertigo, cervical spine disability, thoracolumbar spondylosis, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right knee osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, right hip osteoarthritis, and left hip osteoarthritis are all remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's contention that his current cervical spine disability was caused by lymphadenopathy during service, which is a symptom of his cervical spine condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical and lumbar strain due to inadequate examinations that did not account for pain during range of motion testing, flare-ups, or ankylosis. The cases are being referred to VA's Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

An increased initial rating of 20 percent (but no higher) for service-connected cervical spine IVDS is granted effective February 27, 2019.,An increased initial rating of 20 percent (but no higher) for service-connected lumbosacral spine IVDS is granted effective February 27, 2019.

The Veteran's cervical strain disability is currently rated at 20 percent prior to September 24, 2020, and the Board has denied a higher rating for both periods on appeal.

The Board denied service connection for a spine disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are more likely due to age-related degeneration and post-military trauma, rather than his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine disability, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, and conjunctivitis with hypertensive retinopathy due to inadequate VA examination reports and failure to address relevant service treatment records. The Veteran's representative also noted that VA failed to obtain updated VA treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for various skin disorders and spine and shoulder conditions, finding that the Veteran's claims were not supported by credible evidence of a nexus to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of his cervical spine disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct link between his current condition and his military service.