Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck and back disabilities, as well as his claim for TDIU due to a lack of development on certain theories of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with the Board’s June 2017 remand directives and the need to obtain updated VA treatment records and conduct a combined effects VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, effective September 12, 2012. The claim for an increased rating must be denied based on a lack of entitlement under the law.,The Veteran filed his claim of entitlement to service connection for headaches more than one year after his separation from active service and years following the first complaints and/or treatment for headaches. An effective date prior to August 24, 2017, is not warranted as the claim was received in August 24, 2017.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction, anxiety and mood disorder, and TBI disabilities are currently rated based on their severity under the applicable rating criteria. The claims for increased ratings remain in controversy as less than the maximum benefit available was awarded.,The Veteran has not been afforded a VA examination to determine if he has an eye disability (macular holes) due to his military service. A remand is required to schedule such an examination.,The Veteran's PTSD claim remains pending as there is conflicting evidence of record regarding whether the Veteran currently has PTSD. A new VA examination is needed to clarify this issue.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability, bilateral knee disabilities, cervical strain, and left lower lumbar radiculopathy are rated based on their severity under the applicable rating criteria. The claims for increased ratings remain in controversy as less than the maximum benefit available was awarded.,The Veteran's lumbosacral DDD, right calcaneal spurring, and left lower lumbar radiculopathy disabilities have not been evaluated since April 2019. A new VA examination is needed to evaluate these conditions based on their current severity.,The Veteran's headaches are currently rated as 50 percent disabling under DC 8100. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent remains pending and a remand is required to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his functional impairments, if any.,The Veteran has not been afforded a VA examination to determine whether he should be granted earlier effective dates prior to August 24, 2017. A new VA examination is needed to evaluate these issues based on their current severity.,The Veteran's nonservice-connected pension claim remains pending as the remanded issues could significantly impact this decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for cervical disc disease and for TDIU due to the need for further development, including an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's cervical spine DDD and lumbar spine DJD have been granted increased disability ratings of 20% each, effective November 25, 2019. The TDIU claim has also been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the etiology of his nonspecific interstitial pneumonitis and to obtain private treatment records from Dr. J.P. and Paradigm Orthopedics.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and need for additional examinations. The Veteran is not entitled to a rating or effective date at this time.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder, finding that it is not caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran was granted a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) effective November 28, 2007. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable beginning February 8, 2006.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and a respiratory disorder, finding that there was no evidence of chronic disability during or within one year after service. The Board also found that any current cervical spine disorder is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's cervical spine arthritis is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for this condition. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other factors.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for further medical opinions regarding the Veteran's cervical spine condition and left knee condition.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his coronary artery disease (CAD) post stent placement is granted, with an initial rating of 60 percent from September 1, 2016 through January 24, 2020. The issue of entitlement to a compensable evaluation for shell fragment wound (SFW) residuals of the left submandibular and lower right paracervical areas with retained foreign bodies is denied.,The Veteran's coronary artery disease (CAD) post stent placement was rated based on its severity, frequency, and duration. The Board found that his condition did not meet criteria for a higher 100 percent rating due to the absence of chronic congestive heart failure or left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction less than 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck disability, right shoulder disability, right arm disability, and right hand disability due to inadequate VA medical opinions in denying his claims. The case is now pending for further review.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 30 percent, and his right upper extremity radiculopathy is also rated at 20 percent. Both conditions are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded three issues: service connection for coronary artery disease, increased rating for osteoarthritis of the cervical spine, and increased rating for osteoarthritis of the right shoulder. Additional development is required to address outstanding VA treatment records, obtain Workman's Compensation records, and provide a VA opinion regarding the Veteran's heart claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating for PTSD, service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, and sleep apnea. The RO is to obtain private treatment records and schedule VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current neck disorder, diagnosed as cervical strain, mechanical neck pain, and cervicalgia, is related to her military service. As a result, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's migraines, cervical spine degenerative changes, thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis, left shoulder strain, right elbow epicondylitis, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and right ankle strain have been granted higher initial disability ratings. The Veteran also received a 20 percent disability rating for left ankle degenerative changes, residual from left fibula fracture.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inconsistencies in medical opinions and need for further examination. The issues include rating TBI prior to June 21, 2016, PTSD with TBI since June 21, 2016, and TDIU prior to June 21, 2016.