Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2024

The Veteran's cervical neck strain is rated at 20 percent from September 5, 2014, and 30 percent from February 25, 2020. The claim for an increased rating is denied.,Right upper extremity radiculopathy was granted a 40 percent rating from October 29, 2021, to May 8, 2023, and the claim for an increased rating in excess of this level is denied. The Veteran's left upper extremity radiculopathy remains rated at 20 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that there was no evidence linking the condition to his time in service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral dry eyes with light sensitivity, tinnitus, left ear hearing loss, allergic rhinitis, cervical spine degenerative disease, recurrent right wrist tendonitis, fractured base of the fifth metacarpal of the right hand, asthma with obstructive sleep apnea, and GERD have all been granted effective December 1, 2017.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis, a right shoulder disability, left wrist disability, left hand disability (claimed as osteoarthritis and tendonitis), and a left knee disability were denied.

The Board found that the withholding of VA disability compensation benefits for training days in FY 2004 and FY 2014 was proper based on concurrent pay, and denied both appeals.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, but the cervical spine disability issue requires further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities.,Service connection for hearing loss is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for increased ratings of his cervical spine, right shoulder, left hip, and bilateral ankle disabilities. The effective dates remain at September 12, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of various knee, ankle, and cervical spine disabilities have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has dismissed all claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for pes cavus and left wrist CTS was dismissed. The claim to reopen his cervical spine disorder was granted, but the Board also remanded the cases of heart disorder and DM for further development.

The Veteran's neck disability, headaches, and left ankle disability have been granted service connection. The Veteran is also awarded a higher rating for his headache condition and an initial rating of 10 percent disabling for his left ankle disability from November 1, 2011 to December 4, 2015.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for their service-connected psychiatric disability was denied. The Board also remanded the cases regarding their lumbar and cervical spine disabilities due to inadequate examination reports.

The Veteran's claim for service connection was reopened, and the Board found that new evidence raised a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claims. However, the Board denied all service connection claims due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's cervical strain was rated at 10 percent prior to January 11, 2024, and higher than 20 percent thereafter. The claim for an increased evaluation is denied.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions provided are inadequate to resolve the Veteran's claims for service connection. The claims are being remanded for further development, including obtaining an adequate opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disability and right and left foot disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to procedural issues related to a request for additional evidence, and also noted that new VA examinations are necessary given the passage of time since the last examination. The Veteran will be provided an opportunity to submit additional evidence and undergo further evaluations.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disorder, specifically whether it is secondary to service-connected degenerative disc disease with facet joint arthropathy of the lumbar spine.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his in-service parachute jumps with hard landings.

The Veteran's lumbosacral disability is granted as it is linked to an in-service injury.,The Veteran's cervical disability is granted as it is related to the in-service fall he reported.,The Veteran's bladder disability is granted as it is secondary to his service-connected right nephrectomy and left kidney cystic changes.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is denied as it did not pre-exist his military service and was not aggravated by service.,Service connection for right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy/carpal tunnel syndrome, left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy/carpal tunnel syndrome, and gastrointestinal disorder (GERD) are remanded due to the need for additional medical clarification.