Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for a 30 percent evaluation for cervical spine disability and service connection for bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy secondary to the cervical spine disability was granted effective May 11, 2020.

A disability rating of 70 percent for PTSD from March 23, 2020 to May 11, 2020 has been granted.,The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in significant occupational and social impairment but not total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and other claims were generally granted, with some issues being denied or having their ratings adjusted. The decision covers various conditions including RLS, PTSD with TBI, headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, herpes simplex virus, cervical spine DDD, tarsal tunnel syndrome, knee pain syndromes, and thumb sprain.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current neck disability (degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine) is aggravated by his service-connected left shoulder glenohumeral joint dislocation with arthritis, and thus grants service connection for this condition as secondary to his service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine spondylolysis, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, and right lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's preexisting back conditions were found not to be aggravated by his military service.,Service connection was also denied for the Veteran's cervical spine condition as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or event that could have caused it.

The appeal seeking service connection for arthritis of the whole left arm is dismissed.,The request to readjudicate the claim for service connection for a neck disability/cervical radiculopathy is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in the effective loss or permanent loss of use of his right upper extremity and legs, which qualifies him for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disability, bilateral upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, and bilateral knee disability due to lack of evidence showing current disabilities or a link between the conditions and service.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability and a low back disorder, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to her in-service injuries.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, thoracolumbar spine disability, right and left ankle disabilities, right and left elbow disabilities, right and left hip disabilities, right and left knee disabilities, and cervical spine disability are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine with spinal stenosis and foraminal stenosis, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment starting from September 19, 2020. The Board granted a TDIU rating effective as of that date.

The Board has remanded the case due to a procedural issue where the AOJ did not accept the Appellant's timely VA Form 20-0996 Higher Level Review request for review of the June 2020 decision. The AOJ should now conduct a higher level review.

The Board has granted service connection for low back, neck, left knee, right knee, left ankle, right ankle, right shoulder, and right arm disabilities based on their onset during service.,Service connection is also granted for TMJ dysfunction and sleep-related bruxism, but the evidence does not support a link to service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board dismissed the appeal for eligibility to direct payment of attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in a November 2020 Rating Decision as the appellant withdrew his Notice of Disagreement.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disorder, diagnosed as cervical spine degenerative arthritis, on a presumptive basis due to continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's GERD and ventral hernia have been denied initial ratings in excess of the assigned disability levels.,Claims for effective dates prior to January 27, 2020 for service connection were denied for various peripheral neuropathy conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right hip, left hip, right knee, left knee, cervical spine, neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, and migraines. The reasons given include lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment or for adaptive equipment only, as they do not involve physical loss or permanent loss of use of hands or feet.

The Board has determined that the Appellant's period of inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA) where he sustained an injury in the line of duty qualifies him for basic eligibility for VA benefits, including service connection.