Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent from June 16, 2021 to February 15, 2022. From February 16, 2022 to March 7, 2022, the rating remains at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were previously decided in a September 2021 rating decision, appealed to the Board in November 2021, and adjudicated by the Board in an October 29, 2024, decision. The appeal of these issues is dismissed.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for neck disability (degenerative arthritis of the spine), right knee condition, right foot plantar fasciitis, left foot plantar fasciitis, and left shoulder disability are denied.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and cervical degenerative joint disease post spinal fracture were granted with effective dates of May 23, 2021. The claim for tinnitus was denied as there was no prior unadjudicated claim before February 4, 2022.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits are granted effective May 27, 2016. The compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral tinea pedis is dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine condition, finding the evidence did not support a link to active service.,For left hip osteoarthritis with sacroiliitis, the Veteran was granted a noncompensable rating. The Board found that her flexion limitation did not meet or exceed 45 degrees.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is rated at the maximum allowable under the applicable schedular criteria. The initial increased rating for cervical spine disability was granted, but an initial rating in excess of 20 percent is denied. The Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy and migraines are not shown to warrant higher ratings.

The Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as their associated radiculopathy, have been granted service connection.,A TDIU is also remanded for further adjudication.

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for cervical spine disability with DDD and bulging disc were denied. The claim was also denied for a higher rating from April 14, 2020.,The Board found that the Veteran did not meet criteria for ankylosis or unfavorable ankylosis of the cervical spine, thus denying her request for increased ratings.

The Veteran's initial rating for chronic orthopedic symptoms of cervical spine disability, status post-operative, is denied as the evidence does not support a higher than 30 percent rating.,The Veteran's initial rating for associated cervical radiculopathy (minor LUE) is denied as the evidence does not support a higher than 30 percent rating.,The Veteran's initial rating for surgical scar residual, posterior neck, is denied as the evidence does not support a higher than 30 percent rating.,The Veteran's initial rating for associated cervical radiculopathy (major RUE) is denied as the evidence does not support a higher than 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for lumbosacral strain with arthritis and cervical strain with arthritis were denied effective November 14, 2012. The Board found that the earliest permissible effective date was November 14, 2012.

The Board remands the claims for a higher rating and earlier effective dates due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for cervical spine, right shoulder, left shoulder, right upper extremity neurologic disorder other than right middle finger surgical neuropathy, left knee, and sleep apnea disorders have all been denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during service or within one year post-service.,Service connection was granted for a right middle finger surgical neuropathy disability.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral and cervical strains, finding that the Veteran's current conditions began during service.

The Board has remanded the claims of an increased rating for a right knee disability, service connection for a back disability, service connection for a neck disability, and service connection for diabetes mellitus due to pre-existing duty to assist errors.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, right calf muscle loss and injury, left knee pain, and degeneration of cervical intervertebral disc (neck disorder) are all denied. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the left knee and neck disorders.,Service connection cannot be established as there is no evidence of a current disability in bilateral hearing loss or right calf muscle loss and injury during the appeal period, and the Veteran did not sustain injuries related to service.

The Board has found that the appellant does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, including for heart conditions, acquired psychiatric disorders (anxiety and depression), hypertension, cervical spine condition, bilateral shoulder conditions, elbow conditions, wrist conditions, hip conditions, knee conditions, ankle conditions, or foot conditions. The claims are being remanded to obtain appropriate medical examinations and opinions.,The Board has found that the appellant does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, including for heart conditions, acquired psychiatric disorders (anxiety and depression), hypertension, cervical spine condition, bilateral shoulder conditions, elbow conditions, wrist conditions, hip conditions, knee conditions, ankle conditions, or foot conditions. The claims are being remanded to obtain appropriate medical examinations and opinions.

The appeal of service connection for blisters, cervical strain, incontinence, heart disease, and diabetes mellitus has been dismissed as the VA Form 10182 was submitted after the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and thoracolumbar spine scoliosis / lower back disability, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.,The VA examiner opined that the current disabilities were less likely than not incurred during active duty due to lack of medical records documenting such injuries.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disability and related neurological manifestations. A new VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including cervical spine, right shoulder, lumbar spine, bilateral hip, right knee, left foot, and right foot disabilities. The evidence did not establish a clear and unmistakable error in the finding of current diagnoses or show a causal relationship to an in-service injury, event, or disease.