Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for various service-connected conditions was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of the conditions, including right knee chondromalacia, left knee Palligrini-Stieda's disease with chondromalacia, seborrheic dermatitis, bilateral pes planus, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, right elbow disability, left elbow disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI), neck or cervical spine disability, and low back or thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Board has found that remand is warranted due to the need for additional examinations and compliance with prior remand directives regarding functional loss during flare-ups and repeated use over time.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it is not proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. The issues of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine and cervical strain (neck condition) are remanded.

The Veteran's migraine headaches and chronic constipation are granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected cervical spine injury and medications for his service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, respectively. The Veteran is also granted a 20% disability rating for his hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for compression fracture of L1, cervical segmental dysfunction, neck pain, and myofascitis and arthritis, bilateral pes planus, and left shoulder osteoarthritis have been reopened. The Board found that new evidence supports reopening these claims but denied the underlying service connection due to lack of a nexus between the conditions and active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, left shoulder, left deltoid bursitis, left ulnar neuropathy, right hip, and left hip disabilities are granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for asthma is remanded, as is his claim for service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of all pending claims and appeals.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, as he is currently employed by the United States Federal Government.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for cervical spine disability was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for an increased rating in excess of 40 percent. The TDIU claim prior to June 7, 2007, was granted.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, lumbar spine disability, and lower extremity radiculopathy as the evidence did not show a current disability or etiology related to in-service injury.,The Board also denied service connection for a cervical spine disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left foot disability, and right foot disability due to lack of evidence showing an in-service event, injury, or disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities, and bilateral foot disorder due to lack of substantial compliance with previous directives.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for a cervical spine disability and an acquired psychiatric disability, including generalized anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected cervical spine disability is denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to December 19, 2019 and 30 percent therefrom.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his service-connected cervical neck strain with degenerative disc disease, degenerative arthritis, and intervertebral disc syndrome. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for right upper extremity radiculopathy and left upper extremity radiculopathy associated with this condition are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, neck, and back disabilities due to incomplete medical records and need for new VA opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral stress fracture of the tibia, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability due to outstanding medical records.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with its June 2020 remand directives and requires another remand to afford the Veteran a new VA examination and to procure new nexus opinions supported by a thorough, well-reasoned rationale.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, lumbar strain, cervical spine arthritis, anxiety, and left ankle disability have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for neck and left shoulder disabilities have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The claim for increased evaluation for PTSD has been granted.,Service connection for PTSD remains at a 70 percent rating throughout the appeal period, with no higher.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to conflicting opinions on whether the Veteran's nerve disorder is related to his military service, including exposure to herbicide agents. The VA examiner will need to provide an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's nerve disorder.