Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service connection claims for hearing loss, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, right toe fracture and sesamoiditis, and irritable bowel syndrome have been granted. The issue of entitlement to total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is also remanded.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his TDIU claim was denied.

The Board denied service connection for low back and cervical spine conditions, as well as headaches and radiculopathies of the extremities, all secondary to service-connected pes planus. The claims were reopened due to new evidence provided since the last denial.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and an initial rating for his right lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as his left and right hip disabilities. The AOJ must obtain all relevant medical records and provide the Veteran with a Statement of the Case regarding the claim for an increased rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine disability, back disability, erectile dysfunction, prostate disability, bilateral ankle and knee disabilities, shoulder and hip disabilities, right upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathies, anxiety, depression, and PTSD were not shown as chronic in service or related to a service-connected disability. The Board found the Veteran's statements regarding these conditions being related to his military service to be speculative.,The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were first diagnosed 30 years after separation from service and are not considered to be related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and neck disabilities, as well as his claim for TDIU due to a lack of evidence showing that these conditions are related to service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's initial claim for a cervical spine disability was granted with a 20% rating effective June 7, 2016. The Veteran appealed this decision and requested an earlier effective date.,The Board has determined that the criteria for a 40% rating are met as of April 11, 2019, but has not assigned a higher rating due to lack of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations. The AOJ is instructed to arrange for a new VA examination, obtain all relevant records, and provide the Veteran with another opportunity to submit evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including major depressive disorder with other specified trauma, lumbosacral strain, cervical strain, and patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, are being remanded for further development due to new evidence added to her claims file.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions due to incomplete records from the Veteran's period of service in the Republic of Vietnam.

A rating of 30 percent, but no higher, for frostbite of the right foot, third toe is granted. The Veteran's other claims are remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine arthritis did not begin during service and was not compensably disabling within a year of separation from his first two periods of service. The claim is denied as new and material evidence has not been received.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, nerve damage of the right arm and hand secondary to a cervical spine disorder, and blurred vision have been remanded due to new evidence submitted after previous decisions.,Service connection is being remanded for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher evaluation for chronic cervical (neck) strain was denied, while he received a 10 percent rating for post-traumatic headaches.

The Board has remanded these cases due to the need for additional evidence and development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a right knee disability and a neck disability, finding that new evidence did not establish a relationship to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain is characterized by painful motion and limited motion to 90 degrees beyond the side level, resulting in a denial of an increased rating above 20 percent.,The Veteran's IBS with GERD is characterized as moderate pyrosis and regurgitation, leading to a grant of a non-compensable rating which was later upgraded to 10 percent effective February 6, 2012. The issue of entitlement to an increased rating in excess of 10 percent remains pending.,The Veteran's cervical strain is characterized by complaints of neck pain and limited rotation during service, with no current evidence of limitation or dysfunction. Service connection for this condition is also pending.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left shoulder, neck, and back disabilities due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is not service-connected as there is no evidence of a current disability.,There is insufficient evidence to establish a cervical spine disability for which service connection could be granted.