Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical development, including a retrospective opinion on the severity of his service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disorders, as secondary to a service-connected left knee disability due to lack of compliance with prior remand directives.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and cervical spine disability were denied higher ratings.,Radiculopathy in the upper and lower extremities, as well as femoral nerve paralysis and external cutaneous nerve paralysis of the lower extremity, were also denied higher ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to January 31, 2011, finding that his service-connected conditions did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's cervical spine DDD was rated at 10 percent prior to February 14, 2011 and at 20 percent from that date onward. The right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome (RKPFS) was rated at 10 percent prior to February 14, 2011 and at 30 percent from that date onward.,The Veteran's cervical spine DDD remains rated at 20 percent from February 14, 2011 onward. The right knee RKPFS was remanded for further development.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for cervical spine disability was denied due to failure to report for an examination scheduled in conjunction with the claim.,The Veteran's current service-connected cervical spine disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and right knee disability are granted service connection. The left knee disability is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, left shoulder, and non-ischemic cardiomyopathy disabilities due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives. The addendum opinions are needed to consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding his in-service symptomatology.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for cervical spine disorder, muscle atrophy and weakness, bilateral eye disorders, and headaches due to insufficient evidence regarding whether these conditions are aggravated by service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, claimed as a cervical fracture, is being remanded for an addendum opinion to determine if the fall at VA caused or aggravated any additional disability and whether such disability was due to carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on the part of VA.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, migraines, and physical impairments of the right shoulder, knees, back, and eyes, render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU effective November 2, 2015.

The Veteran's trixaicin cream was not used in conjunction with a service-connected skin disability, thus the clothing allowance claim for 2016 is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, testicular hypofunction, cervical degenerative disc disease, right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, bronchitis, emphysema, COPD, esophageal disability, and thoracolumbar degenerative disc disease due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is related to his service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran meets the schedular requirements for a TDIU from May 30, 2014, forward due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board finds that the combined effects of his back disability and other conditions prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and left thigh disability, as well as his claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU due to incomplete development of the record. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional records and provide addendum opinions addressing whether the Veteran's disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's increased ratings for cervical spine degenerative joint disease, thoracolumbar spine degenerative joint disease, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity with demyelinating polyneuropathy are denied. A TDIU is granted for the period from February 7, 2018, to February 6, 2022, but dismissed for the period thereafter.

The Board denied service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disorders, including arthritis, finding that the Veteran did not have a current disability or evidence of chronic symptoms in service. The Board also found no credible account of an in-service injury.,Service connection was denied as there were no in-service injuries or diseases to which the disabilities could be related.

The Veteran's hepatitis B is rated at 40 percent, and his left foot disability is granted service connection. The head injury residuals are denied, as well as the low back, neck, and bilateral hip disabilities. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is also denied.

The Veteran's left big toe spurs and hallux valgus, as well as his cardiac disorder (right bundle branch block) are granted service connection. The right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is also granted service connection as secondary to cervical spondylosis. However, the issue of service connection for cervical spondylosis remains pending.