Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's skin cancer and neurofibroma are granted service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU solely due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied an increased rating for the cervical spine disability and restored a previous 20 percent rating, finding that there was no material improvement in the condition under ordinary conditions of life and work. The Board also found that the criteria for an increased rating were not met.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine, lumbar spine, left lower extremity neuropathy, left upper extremity neuropathy, and neck scar disabilities due to a predecisional duty to assist error. The Veteran's service records show in-service treatment for these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left ear hearing loss, fatigue secondary to OSA, and several other conditions have been denied. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a current disability in some of these cases.,Service connection for right elbow condition, left elbow condition, left hip condition (secondary to trochanteric bursitis), and left knee condition (secondary to patellofemoral syndrome) has also been denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome is dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for low back disability, cervical spine disability, and headaches.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds no evidence of ankylosis or more than 15 degrees of forward flexion. The Veteran's radiculopathy and osteoarthritis are also rated at their maximum levels.,The Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy is rated at its maximum level.

The Board has found that the Veteran must be afforded VA examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed low back, cervical spine, right knee, left knee, right ankle, left ankle, right foot, and left foot disabilities. The appeal is remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 29, 2013, for the grant of service connection of migraine headaches has been denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 50 percent for her migraines.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her service-connected migraine headaches remains denied as there are no additional symptoms or residuals that would warrant a higher rating under the applicable criteria.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of viral meningitis has been denied due to lack of evidence of a present disability and insufficient evidence linking any in-service incident to current symptoms.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of her left hand disability (claimed as a pinched nerve) remains pending, with the issue remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of bilateral plantar fasciitis has been granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) is remanded.,The Veteran's claims for left shoulder and cervical spine disabilities are both pending, with the issues remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of her left elbow injury (claimed as a pinched nerve) remains pending, with the issue remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of peripheral enthesopathy (claimed as shin pain) is pending and has been remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of polyuria is pending and has been remanded.,The Veteran's claims for service connection of her lumbar spine disability, skin condition (claimed as tinea pedis and toenail fungus), and skin condition (claimed as acne) are all pending and have been remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and cervical spine disability, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions are related to in-service noise exposure and military service, respectively.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on all issues related to service connection and increased ratings, including for allergic rhinitis, shin splints, an eye disability, a cervical spine disability, and TDIU. The Board dismissed these cases as the appeal was withdrawn.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for cervical strain, left shoulder strain, and right shoulder strain due to failure to obtain a medical opinion from a medical doctor as requested in previous remands. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Veteran's cervical spine DDD is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The issue of TDIU prior to January 19, 2017, is remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the claims for a cervical spine disability and left shoulder disability due to inadequate opinions from the June 2021 VA examiner. The Veteran's service connection claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee tendonitis/tendinosis, right knee tendonitis/tendinosis, lumbosacral strain, and cervical strain.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and origin of the Veteran's neck disability. The case will be returned to the Board once further development is completed.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective November 2, 2016. However, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU prior to that date. The case is remanded for referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disability, specifically whether it is related to his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability is granted. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral leg disabilities, neck disability, back disability, and left hip disability.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including residuals of a head injury, cervical spine disability, and tremors, were not incurred or aggravated during service. The appeal is being remanded for further development regarding a chronic gastrointestinal disability.

The Veteran's cervical spine, ankle, knee, hip, and shoulder conditions are being remanded for further development.,Specifically, the Board is requesting additional medical opinions to determine if these conditions are secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain.