Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment from May 21, 2009, until October 18, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating than 10 percent prior to February 24, 2020, and 20 percent thereafter for cervical spondylosis is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating than 10 percent prior to April 24, 2018, and 20 percent thereafter for right acromioclavicular joint separation status-post surgical repair with osteoarthritis is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining employment consistent with his occupational and vocational experience prior to June 13, 2020.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a low back injury and degenerative arthritis, but denied service connection for a cervical spine disability. The low back condition is presumed to have existed prior to service and was aggravated by an in-service pool injury.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for neck and right shoulder disabilities, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service or service-connected right foot residuals.

The Veteran's IBS was denied a compensable evaluation from June 13, 2010 to September 27, 2019.,An increased evaluation in excess of 30 percent for IBS since September 27, 2019 was also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for back disability and headaches due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's back disabilities are related to her service-connected residuals of frostbite, but not her bilateral foot disability or major depressive disorder. Her headaches are not caused by or aggravated by her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for lumbosacral spine, cervical spine, and bilateral shoulder disorders due to insufficient examination findings. The Veteran is required to undergo new VA examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to his active service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and chest pain with breathing problems due to failure of the Veteran to report to scheduled VA examinations. The Veteran's concerns about exposure to COVID-19 and lack of transportation are considered good cause.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's cervical spine disability. The TDIU issue is also being remanded as part and parcel of the increased rating claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his low back condition.,The evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran’s current cervical spine or low back disabilities were directly related to service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, osteoarthritis of the left knee, and osteoarthritis of the right knee are not service-connected. However, frostbite residuals of the bilateral feet have been granted as a result of new evidence submitted after reopening the claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied, and the initial rating of 10% for depressive disorder was also denied. The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is now rated at 50%, effective May 12, 2017. Service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathies, left upper and lower extremity radiculopathies, and left ankle conditions were all denied.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 30 percent since July 21, 2014. The Board found that the evidence supported this rating as his forward flexion was limited to 10 degrees, meeting the criteria for a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to dress, bathe himself, feed himself without assistance, and requires regular aid and attendance. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on housebound status or need for aid and attendance.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for schizophrenia, TBI, cervical spine disability to include arthritis, and right knee disability due to new evidence. The claims are now remanded for further development including VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to additional development being required, including verification of alleged exposure to herbicides and lead paint during service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, tendonitis of the left shoulder, and tendonitis of the right shoulder were denied. The current ratings are 10% for the cervical spine prior to October 27, 2014, and 20% thereafter; 20% for the left shoulder; and, 20% for the right shoulder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and PTSD have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of onset in service or causation to any service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to address whether the Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disorders are secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities or if they were caused by his back surgery.