Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with a previous remand order regarding service treatment records from February 2010 to September 2010. The AOJ needs to request these records directly from the Oregon Army National Guard and provide an addendum medical opinion if additional relevant records are obtained.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy (formerly carpal tunnel syndrome), and left upper extremity radiculopathy have been denied. The VA has determined that the current evaluations adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disorder. The VA examiner’s opinion was based on incomplete evidence and failed to reconcile the x-ray evidence of severe arthritis in 2005.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to failure to comply with previous remand directives and to obtain opinions on the etiology of the Veteran's neck disability, left knee disability, and TDIU claim.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted as service-connected. The issues of rating in excess for right knee and lumbar spine disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's neck and right knee disabilities have been granted service connection on a presumptive basis. The remaining claims, including those for respiratory disability, bilateral hand numbness, acid reflux disease, and right ankle strain, are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder was denied in May 2017 and dismissed due to the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA). The Board does not have jurisdiction over this matter.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for their service-connected lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities were denied. The lumbar spine disability was rated at 10 percent prior to June 25, 2018, and increased to 40 percent effective June 25, 2018. The cervical spine disability remained at a 10 percent rating throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's cervical spine, left shoulder, multiple scars, and lumbar spine disabilities have been granted initial ratings of 20 percent each. The right hip disability, radiculopathy associated with the cervical and lumbar spine, and a right knee disability are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an examination related to the Veteran's cervical spine disability. The Veteran contends that his current condition is related to service, but there is no evidence in the record indicating a preexisting condition upon entry into service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck, back, right shoulder, right arm neurological, and right hand neurological disabilities due to outstanding VA and private treatment records not being obtained. The Veteran is also required to provide updated Army Reserve service personnel and service treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disorders, as well as his upper extremity radicular pain and paresthesias, were not incurred or aggravated during active service.,Further evaluation is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his cervical spine disability was denied, but he received an earlier effective date of December 2, 2015, for the grant of TDIU (Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability).

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's current cervical spine disability was incurred during service, within one year of service separation, or is otherwise related to any event or injury in service. The appeal for service connection for this condition is being remanded.

The Board has ordered remand for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's left foot drag, service connection for traumatic arthritis of the cervical spine, and service connection for traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine. The issues are also remanded for a determination on special monthly compensation.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate rationale in a previous VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's cervical spine disability is secondary to his service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection were denied. The Veteran was granted a 40% rating for his cervical spine disability, but the claim for an increased rating is still pending. Service connection for left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various knee, cervical spine, and foot disabilities were denied. The Board found that the current 10 percent ratings assigned for right and left knee osteoarthritis, as well as the cervical spine disability, are appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted TDIU based on this finding.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is now rated at 40 percent from February 25, 2017.,The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is now rated at 30 percent from February 25, 2017.