Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's disabilities, including cervical strain, knee limitations of extension, lumbar spine disability, left shoulder bursitis, and external hemorrhoids. The AOJ is instructed to issue a supplemental statement of the case after considering additional evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability was denied in July 1995 and became final. The Veteran filed a new claim on October 22, 2009, which resulted in the grant of service connection with an effective date of October 22, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case due to a request for an in-person hearing at the RO, and the need to readjudicate the issue based on all available evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for lumbosacral spine and cervical spine disabilities due to inadequate VA examination and medical nexus opinions. Additional development is required to address whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran requested to withdraw all issues on appeal, and the Board has dismissed them.

The Veteran's cervical strain disability is rated at 10 percent prior to March 14, 2018 and at 20 percent from March 14, 2018 until December 15, 2021. Beginning December 15, 2021, the Veteran's cervical strain disability is rated at 30 percent.,The Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy associated with cervical strain and degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 20 percent.,The Veteran's tinnitus is rated at 10 percent.,Entitlement to higher ratings for the Veteran's service-connected conditions has been denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ingrown toenails, bilateral hearing loss, internal bleeding, acid reflux, neck disability, and low back disability has been denied.,There is no evidence of a current diagnosis or impairment related to these conditions. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of ingrown toenails, bilateral hearing loss, internal bleeding, acid reflux, neck disability, or low back disability.

The Veteran's fungal infection of the feet is rated at 10 percent, and his cervical spine strain is granted a higher rating of 40 percent. Other issues are remanded.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are remanded for further evaluation. The left elbow, right femur fracture residuals, and left knee degenerative arthritis cases are also remanded due to the Veteran's testimony of increased severity since the last VA examinations.

The Veteran's cervicalgia, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and bilateral popliteal entrapment syndrome are granted as service-connected.,An initial disability rating of 30 percent for headache syndrome from October 21, 2016 to January 22, 2022 is granted. A higher rating for the entire appeal period is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional medical opinions regarding his neck, shoulder, knee, and hip disabilities as well as hypertension and acid reflux. The claims are being returned to VA for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is granted. The Veteran's gastrointestinal disability claim is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's initial rating for his back disability prior to May 5, 2021 was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's initial rating for his neck disability prior to May 5, 2021 was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's increased rating for his back disability from May 5, 2021 was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's increased rating for his neck disability from May 5, 2021 was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is aggravated by her service-connected left shoulder disability, and therefore grants service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues regarding separate ratings for neuralgia and neuritis, as well as SMC based on loss of use of the left upper extremity. Additional development is needed to address these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination results and requests for additional development.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's left shoulder and cervical spine disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for dizziness, finding that the Veteran's dizziness is caused by medication taken to treat his service-connected PTSD. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the in-service injury and continuity of symptoms.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is denied a rating in excess of 10 percent from December 7, 2012, to September 24, 2021, and a rating in excess of 20 percent from September 25, 2021, to November 28, 2021. The Veteran's cervical spine disability is also denied a rating in excess of 30 percent from November 29, 2021, to the present. A ten percent rating for residuals of left tibia stress fracture before February 7, 2021, and a twenty percent rating after that date are granted.

The Board has determined that there are issues related to the Veteran's cervical condition and numbness/tingling of his lower and upper extremities. These issues have been remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions.