Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to clarify the nature, severity, and location of his service-connected hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) and rhabdomyolysis. The issues include seeking initial compensable ratings for HS prior to October 15, 2020, and in excess thereafter, as well as increased ratings for various forms of rhabdomyolysis.

The Veteran's migraines are now rated at 50% effective September 23, 2016. The Board also granted TDIU from September 23, 2016 due to the combined effect of multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis with stenosis of the cervical spine and degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder, finding that these conditions began during active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, lumbar spine, and cervical spine disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical and lumbosacral spine disabilities have been remanded due to new treatment records showing possible worsening of his conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities have been granted, with a rating of 100% effective as of the date of decision.

The Veteran's service-connected neck disability and left upper extremity radiculopathy have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment throughout the period on appeal, resulting in TDIU. Effective April 1, 2018, he is also entitled to SMC based on housebound criteria due to his single-service connected disability rated at 100 percent and additional service-connected disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for bilateral hearing loss, migraines/headaches, neck/cervical pain, sleep apnea, vertigo, and urethritis. The remaining issues of service connection are being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased rating of back condition and service connection for left knee and cervical spine conditions due to inadequate examinations in September 2020.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to readjudicate the claims for service connection for a right ankle disability and a neck disability. However, the evidence does not support finding that these disabilities are related to service.,Service connection was denied as there is no persuasive evidence showing that the current right ankle or neck disabilities began during service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and bilateral pes planus due to issues with the addendum opinions provided by VA examiners. The examiner is requested to address the Veteran's statements regarding her in-service duties and motor vehicle accidents.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of lumbar spine, cervical spine, and left ankle disabilities before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's cervical disability is not service-connected, and has remanded the psychiatric disability claim for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right wrist tendinitis, cervical spine strain, and radiculopathy of the right upper extremity were denied as VA did not receive his claim prior to September 11, 2020.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine condition, left upper extremity neuralgia, and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to inadequate opinions in the January 2020 VA examination report. The Veteran is required to provide new etiology opinions covering all theories of entitlement.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable disability rating for chronic rhinitis was denied. Service connection for her cervical spine and left shoulder conditions were granted.

Your appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate your claims as they are no longer pending.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder, hypertension, vision disability (claimed as macular degeneration), residual(s) of a left shoulder sprain, and degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine. The Veteran submitted new and relevant evidence that tends to show a more complete picture of his disabilities.

The Board restored service connection for the seven claimed conditions, effective from July 1, 2020.

The Board has found that the VA Regional Office did not obtain relevant Social Security Administration (SSA) records, which may be pertinent to the Veteran's claims. The appeal is being remanded to obtain these SSA records.