Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for Major Depressive Disorder and Degenerative Disc Disease were denied, as the medical evidence did not support a rating in excess of 50 percent and 10 percent respectively. The appeal for service connection for a Cervical Spine Disorder was also denied due to lack of current diagnosis.

The Veteran's neck disability is rated at 30 percent effective October 25, 2016. The rating was denied prior to that date.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a recurrent cervical spine disability, finding that there is no nexus between her current condition and active service or any service-connected disability. The Board found conflicting evidence regarding onset of symptoms and concluded that the Veteran's neck condition is not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for left knee patella tendonitis with shin splints was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Service connection for a cervical spine condition was denied due to lack of evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and cervical DDD, C5-C6, have been granted increased evaluations.,Separate evaluations for LLE radiculopathy, RLE radiculopathy, LUE radiculopathy, and RUE radiculopathy have also been granted.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the upper right arm is currently rated at 40 percent, which meets the criteria for this condition.,Bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under VA regulations.,There is no evidence to support service connection for hypertension or radiculopathy of the right leg.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, lumbar spine, left ankle, and right ankle disorders due to incomplete examination results. The Veteran will need to reschedule his examinations or telehealth interviews.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disorder, finding that his pre-existing neck disorder was not aggravated by service and is not related to his service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his cervical spine disability was remanded due to the inadequacy of the November 2021 VA examination. The Board ordered a new examination to address the presence of flare-ups as described in prior examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to inadequate development. Specifically, the Board finds that another VA examination and opinion is required for his anemia claim, neck disability claim, cervical radiculopathy of the right upper extremity claim, cervical radiculopathy of the left upper extremity claim, right foot pes planus claim, and left foot pes planus claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for OSA has been granted, and he is also granted increased ratings for his TMJ dysfunction, cervical strain, left shoulder impingement syndrome, and lumbar spine strain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and a cervical spine condition secondary to her low back injury due to failure to appear for VA examinations. The Veteran is advised that she must report for these examinations.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for left foot plantar fasciitis, cervical spine disability, and left knee patella tendonitis are being remanded due to the inadequacy of prior VA examination reports.,Specifically, the June 2016 and August 2019 VA examination reports for cervical spine disability were found to be inadequate for adjudication purposes.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, neuropathy of the left upper extremity, and neuropathy of the right upper extremity are remanded for further development. The lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease is also remanded for a new rating determination.

The Board dismissed all appeals as the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran is granted effective dates of January 28, 2004 for the grant of service connection for right knee strain, left knee strain, osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, cervical spine disability, and allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right upper extremity is granted at a 40 percent rating, effective from March 16, 2012. The other issues related to cervical spine and upper extremities have been resolved with either grants or denials.

The Veteran's hypertension is denied as there is no evidence of a connection to his military service.,The Veteran's left shoulder disability and right shoulder disability are both denied due to lack of in-service injury, illness or event.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck disorder (cervical strain) is related to his military service, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70% rating, effective from the date of the decision. Other disabilities are also addressed and rated appropriately.