Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate statement of reasons or bases for its implicit finding of substantial compliance with prior remand instructions. The matter is being returned for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's claims for depression, left shoulder disorder, left arm disorder, and cervical spine disorder were reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, service connection was denied as there is no current diagnosis or link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected due to a qualifying in-service stressor. The appeals for right hip, cervical spine, and bilateral hearing loss disabilities are dismissed.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease was granted a 40% rating from November 1, 2015 to June 4, 2018. A 30% rating for left upper extremity radiculopathy was granted prior to March 24, 2014 and TDIU was granted prior to that date.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability and seborrheic dermatitis, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as right wrist metacarpal fracture residuals due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and maintain a substantially gainful occupation from June 24, 2014. The Board granted a TDIU rating effective from that date.

The Board has determined that new VA examinations and opinions are necessary to address the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee and cervical spine disorders before these claims can be adjudicated.

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy was rated at 10 percent prior to December 14, 2013 and at 20 percent thereafter. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating for any period.,The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine was rated at 20 percent from July 29, 2011. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating for any period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted for additional special monthly compensation (SMC).

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hysterectomy and cervical spine degenerative disc disease, as well as her claim for service connection for breast reduction surgery. The Board found that the breast reduction surgery was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his cervical spine, left shoulder, and bilateral knee disabilities have been granted. However, the case has been remanded for further evaluation of additional issues.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable evaluation for pseudofolliculitis barbae has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.,Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has dismissed all the issues related to increased disability ratings for various spinal and arm conditions as well as a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and readjudication, including issuing a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) regarding the issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and whether new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of service connection for cervical spine disability. The issues of a rating in excess of 20 percent for DJD of the cervical spine and total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) are also remanded.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and degenerative joint disease of the upper and lower back have been granted service connection. The Board has also remanded for further examination to determine the nature and etiology of hypertension, degenerative joint disease of the arms, elbows, wrists, shoulders, neck, and a heart condition.

The Board has granted service connection for neck, back, bilateral knee, bilateral ankle, and bilateral hip disabilities on a direct basis. The claim for sleep disorder, including sleep apnea, is remanded for further development.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU rating for the period from July 1, 2016 to August 31, 2018. For the periods prior to and after this date, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastritis and GERD is remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding the effective date and initial rating assigned.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability, left knee disability, and right hip disorder are remanded as additional examinations are needed to address functional loss during flare-ups and on repetitive use over time.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to June 19, 2009, is referred to the Director, Compensation Service, due to insufficient evidence showing unemployability by reason of service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate examination reports and a need for new VA examinations to determine the severity of the Veteran's neck and back disabilities prior to October 17, 2018.