Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently evaluated at a 20 percent rating due to limited range of motion, but not meeting the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, and gastrointestinal disorders due to inadequate examination reports that did not address the Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service falls.

The Veteran's cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities are found to be related to service, specifically the helicopter crash in February 1967. Service connection is granted for these conditions.,Service connection is also granted for bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy (numbness in hands and arms) and right lower extremity radiculopathy (numbness in the right leg), both found to be secondary to service-connected cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for the Veteran's cervical spine disability as of March 17, 2015.,The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to March 17, 2015.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70 percent rating, effective October 6, 2020. Service connection for his neck disability is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected DDD of the cervical spine and PTSD have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since April 19, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and outstanding VA treatment records. The issues include back disability, cervical spine disability, bilateral ankle disability, bilateral hip disability, residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI), disability manifested by impaired balance, fatigue, memory loss, bilateral hand disability (claimed as hand tremors), speech disability, and bilateral eye disability.

A 30 percent rating for cervical spine strain with degenerative disc disease (DDD) from May 18, 2018 is granted.,A 20 percent rating for right upper extremity radiculopathy prior to November 8, 2019 and a 30 percent rating thereafter is granted.,A rating higher than 40 percent for skin sores from August 13, 2018 is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The right shoulder disability, neck disability, and right ankle disability are not rated higher than the current assigned ratings.,Service connection was denied for the right hip, leg, and groin disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, cervical spine disability, and hypertension due to the lack of available service treatment records. The Veteran is to be afforded VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left elbow epicondylitis and cervical spine disability due to insufficient medical opinions in previous examinations. The Veteran is required to provide a new VA examination that addresses his lay statements regarding motor vehicle accidents and service treatment records.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling from August 6, 2006, to June 9, 2013, and from August 1, 2013, to July 21, 2015. The thoracolumbar spine disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling from August 6, 2006, to February 11, 2008, and from April 1, 2008, to August 25, 2015. These ratings are being remanded for further development.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is also being remanded as part of the spine issues on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for the residuals of corneal ulcer with infiltrate, left eye has been reopened. The appeal is remanded for further evaluation and rating of his other service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and readjudication. The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions are being reviewed again.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are granted. The Board found new and material evidence to support the reopening of these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, finding that there is no evidence to support a causal relationship between his headaches and his military service or his service-connected cervical spine degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea, ADHD, and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy are all rated at the lowest possible level (20%) due to lack of evidence showing more than mild impairment. The scars from her cervical fusion surgery are also rated at 20%.

The Veteran's left lower extremity disorder and hypertension are not service-connected, but the Board finds that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his service-connected cervical spine disability.