Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder disorder, cervical spine disorder, and lumbar spine disorder. The evidence supports a finding that these conditions were incurred during service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The claim for increased ratings was denied as the evidence did not show that the Veteran met the criteria for a compensable evaluation prior to January 31, 2018, in excess of 10 percent prior to July 5, 2022, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter. The claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a current skin disorder or headaches at any time during the pendency of the claim.

The Board has determined that new VA examinations are needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, as the previous opinions were based on a lack of evidence in the service treatment records and did not adequately consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptoms during service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and development of his TDIU claim. The issues of rating in excess of 50 percent for major depressive disorder, rating in excess of 40 percent for right upper extremity radiculopathy, and rating in excess of 30 percent for neck disability are also remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability and headaches are not related to service or service-connected conditions, and thus service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to inadequate examination reports and potential worsening of symptoms. The Veteran is seeking higher ratings for his service-connected neck disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's cervical spine fusion is granted with a 30 percent evaluation prior to June 3, 2022. The increased evaluations for the right upper extremity radiculopathy and SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound status are denied.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and jungle rot of the groin area are not service-connected. The Veteran was granted initial ratings for PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II with bilateral diabetic retinopathy and pseudophakia, and back disability from July 12, 2018 to November 29, 2021. Other disabilities were denied or had their ratings maintained.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as the TDIU claim, are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran needs new VA examinations to assess the severity of his spine disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and evaluation of his bilateral shin splints and cervical spine condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an opinion regarding the relationship between his current condition and service.

The Board has remanded the claims due to new evidence received after the appeal was certified to the Board in October 2018.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates prior to April 30, 2018, for the grant of service connection for various disabilities have been denied.,VA received an original formal claim on May 4, 2018, and granted service connection within one year after separation from active military service. The effective date set is the day following the Veteran's exit from active service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability (claimed as neck strain) due to new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's rating for cervical strain was reduced from 20% to 10%, effective August 1, 2019. The reduction is being restored as the VA examination used to support it was inadequate.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for Raynaud's disease and a cervical spine disability, as these conditions may be related to her service-connected disabilities. The claims will be remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU rating is currently effective since January 7, 2021. Prior to this date, he was rated as 30 percent disabled for bronchial asthma, 10 percent disabled for a thoracolumbar spine disorder, 10 percent disabled for tinnitus, and 10 percent disabled for a cervical spine disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine, right knee, left knee, and thoracolumbar spine disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions. The Veteran's service treatment records are also being sought.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claims for cervical spine disability and hypertension has been granted. The claim of service connection for a right knee condition as secondary to service-connected back is remanded, and the claim of service connection for a left knee condition as secondary to service-connected back is also remanded.,Service connection for hypertension as secondary to service-connected back is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected IBS is granted, and he also receives a 40% rating for his lumbar spine disability due to the PACT Act presumption.