Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's lumbar DDD and spondylosis have not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent since March 29, 2019.,The Veteran's cervical DDD and spondylosis have not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent from August 20, 2021.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including bilateral foot, wrist, ankle, knee, groin injury with residual erectile dysfunction, TBI with headaches, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and bilateral hearing loss disability, have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for additional medical evaluation due to a worsening of the disabilities since the last examinations. The Veteran's right upper extremity disabilities need further assessment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, deviated septum, cervical spine disorder, carpal tunnel syndrome, and migraine headaches due to untimely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) filed more than one year after notification of the February 2016 rating decision.

The Board denied service connection for a head injury, tinnitus, and neck disability due to the lack of evidence supporting an in-service event or injury.,No medical nexus was established between any of these conditions and military service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum medical opinion for the Veteran's cervical spine disability due to incomplete and inaccurate opinions in the previous VA examination reports.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical disc disease, degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder, and radiculopathy of the right upper extremity due to inadequate VA examinations. The issues are inextricably intertwined as the rating assigned for one condition may affect another.

The Veteran's claim to service connection for a back condition was reopened and granted.,Service connection is now established for lumbar spine disorder and cervical spine disorder.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is still necessary prior to the adjudication of the issues of appeal, including obtaining VA examinations for the Veteran's musculoskeletal disabilities and information regarding his employment status.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck and upper torso disabilities due to inadequate opinions regarding these conditions. The Veteran is also being asked to clarify which medical examiner or examiners' information he is requesting.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as the claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to non-compliance with previous directives.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, back disability, neck disability, and right shoulder tendinopathy with strain are all found to be related to service.,Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's cervical strain is currently rated at 30 percent, effective November 17, 2022. The Board has granted separate ratings of 20 percent for left and right upper extremity neuropathy.,The TDIU claim is remanded as the Veteran's combined rating is now 100% due to her cervical strain and upper extremity neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various shoulder and knee disabilities, as well as cervical spine disability, all of which are claimed to be related to a motor vehicle accident in 1973. The appeals have been remanded due to inadequate examination reports that did not address each claim individually.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, lumbar spine, and left shoulder disabilities due to incomplete examination reports and outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's neck disability is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The Board found that the evidence did not show forward flexion limited to 15 degrees or less, favorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine, or IVDS productive of incapacitating episodes requiring bed rest prescribed by a doctor for at least 4 weeks but less than 6 weeks during the past 12 months. The Veteran's disability picture is fully contemplated in the criteria for a 20 percent rating as currently assigned.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine and right shoulder disorders due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran is required to undergo new VA examinations to determine if his current conditions are proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected right wrist disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence.,Service connection is also being remanded for lumbar spine, cervical spine, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including schizophrenia) disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee strain, left knee strain, and cervical strain have been granted service connection. For the period from February 26, 2013 to August 1, 2019, a rating of 70 percent for PTSD with alcohol use disorder has been granted. The Veteran's hip disabilities (right and left) are rated at 30 percent each since November 15, 2017. The Veteran's right and left hips have limitations in extension and flexion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disability, finding that there is no evidence of chronic cervical spine arthritis during or within one year after service. The VA opinions provided in June and October 2022 are considered more persuasive than the Veteran's lay statements regarding his in-service injury.