Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disorder and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for arthritis of the cervical spine, right shoulder, hands, and left knee, as well as the claims for a compensable evaluation for left ear hearing loss and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus. The appellant withdrew their appeal prior to the decision being finalized.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, as his manifestations of any additional claimed acquired psychiatric disability are not clearly distinguishable from his service-connected PTSD. The appeal is remanded for further development on several orthopedic issues.

The Veteran's low back and cervical spine disabilities with radiculopathy are granted as they are related to service.,Tinnitus is also granted, attributed to noise exposure during active service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for cervical spine and bilateral shoulder disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions provided in previous decisions.

The Veteran's thoracic and cervical spine DDD are granted as service connected. The Veteran's headaches, which are secondary to the spinal conditions, are also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability and radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities secondary to a cervical spine disability due to inadequate medical opinions. The case is now returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher ratings for costochondritis and lumbar spine disability due to potential interference with employment. The Veteran's absences from work and leave taken under FMLA have been noted.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for cervical spine disability and headaches due to inadequate medical opinions in previous VA examinations. The Veteran's claims are not yet resolved.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of various spinal and extremity disabilities due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, mid to low back disability, and upper back and neck disability. The claim for service connection for a right knee injury is being remanded due to inadequate VA examination and failure to obtain relevant medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, status post fusion and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy (claimed as bilateral hand numbness) as secondary to service-connected cervical degenerative disc disease.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus, right ankle arthritis, left ankle arthritis, and cervical spine arthritis.,Service connection is denied for tendonitis of the left elbow (also claimed as arthritis) and acromioclavicular arthrosis with impingement and rotator cuff tear of the left shoulder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical/lumbar spine disability, to include as secondary to a left shoulder disability due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to comply with prior remand directives.

The Veteran's claim to reopen a previously denied cervical spine disability was granted. The claims for gastrointestinal and psychiatric disabilities, as well as anemia, are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and neck disabilities due to incomplete evidence. The VA will obtain additional medical records from private providers and provide a new VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to March 6, 2020 resulted in reduced reliability and productivity. As of March 6, 2020, the Veteran's PTSD symptoms caused deficiencies in most areas but not total social impairment. The Board finds that a higher 50 percent rating is granted for PTSD prior to March 6, 2020, and a higher 70 percent rating is granted as of March 6, 2020.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar fibromyositis with IVDS is granted a 60 percent rating effective November 13, 2015. The remaining claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, and cervical spine disability are remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied prior to January 1, 2008. The cervical spine and radiculopathy claims are remanded for additional examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and an acquired psychiatric condition (unspecified depressive disorder) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar and cervical disabilities. The decision is based on evidence showing continuity of symptomatology since service.