Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims of increased ratings for his left ear hearing loss, incision scar posterior neck, and cervical spine disability are denied. The claim for service connection for TBI is remanded.

The Veteran's cervical strain was rated at 10 percent from July 22, 2020. The rating was increased to 30 percent effective July 23, 2020, due to forward flexion of the cervical spine being limited to 15 degrees or less.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, lumbar spine, and right drop foot disabilities due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The AOJ is required to obtain a VA examination and provide medical opinions.

The Veteran's right arm/shoulder, neck, and back disabilities are granted as compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to the April 2016 carotid endarterectomy (CEA) procedure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disability and sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence addressing both theories of entitlement.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for cervical strain, and denied service connection for various shoulder disabilities, radiculopathy, lower back injury, GERD, and IBS.

The Veteran's claim for an initial 60 percent evaluation for service-connected GERD has been granted. The Board also remanded the claims for cervical spine disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, left shoulder disorder, and right shoulder disorder.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a 40% rating effective February 19, 2021.,Right wrist and costochondritis disabilities were each granted a 10% rating effective September 21, 2020.,Service connection for sleep apnea was established with an effective date of June 29, 2021.,Service connection for cervical spine disability was denied.,TDIU was granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development. The Board found no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes, thus denying a higher rating for his neck disability.

The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the service-connected cervical spine sprain, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities has been granted. The Board found that the Veteran meets the schedular requirements and is unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for varicose veins and neck disability, as secondary to service-connected conditions. The VA examinations are needed to address the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, depression, dizziness, light sensitivity, liver disorder, gynecological cyst, bladder disorder, headaches, allergies, hypothyroidism, cervical spine disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorder, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left winged scapula, left shoulder disorder, right winged scapula, right shoulder disorder, left knee strain, right knee strain, and left ankle sprain were all denied as there was no evidence of a service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, neck disability, coccydynia, erectile dysfunction, left hip osteoarthritis, right hip osteoarthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis with arthroscopy and medial meniscectomy, left shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, right shoulder overuse syndrome, right elbow olecranon bursitis, and right elbow tendonitis. Service connection was granted for left shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for radiculopathy of the left upper extremity and cervical spine disability was granted with an effective date of March 9, 2021. However, his request for earlier effective dates for DEA benefits is denied as he does not meet the criteria for permanent total service-connected disability prior to that date.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been dismissed as the initial ratings were already assigned prior to May 24, 2021.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's left lower extremity sciatica. The issue of service connection for left lower extremity sciatica as secondary to degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is also being addressed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 23, 2022 for a 20 percent evaluation for left cubital tunnel. The evidence did not support finding that an earlier effective date was warranted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and service connection have been dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn them.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, cervical spine disability, and increased ratings for her left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,An effective date earlier than March 18, 2017, is not warranted for the award of service connection for fibromyalgia, left knee extension, or left knee flexion.