Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his claimed conditions are not attributable to service. The VA examinations and medical opinions provided no evidence linking the current conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations to evaluate the severity of his service-connected left shoulder and cervical spine disabilities in compliance with Correia v. McDonald (2016).

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's cervical spine disorder is caused or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine disability, and to provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, cervical spine disability, and acquired psychiatric disability are all service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected cervical spine disability is being remanded due to insufficiently addressed correspondence and inadequate VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder due to inadequate examination and opinion. The case is now pending for further development.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent for the entire period on appeal, and his cervical spine disability is rated at 40 percent from February 6, 2007 forward. The Veteran meets the schedular requirements for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, low back disability, and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to bilateral hearing loss, and the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a current diagnosis under VA regulations.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical disorder. The claims for low back, bilateral hip, and bilateral leg disorders are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's cervical disability is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is at least as likely as not related to service, including the May 1966 report of a fall and wearing a heavy armored helmet. The case will be reviewed again after this examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder is not attributable to service, was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability, and arthritis of cervical spine was not manifest within one year of his separation from service. As such, the claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine C5-C6, with right cervical radiculopathy due to lack of evidence linking his current disability to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal of the denial of service connection for disabilities of the right shoulder, right wrist, left knee, bilateral knees, and cervical spine has been granted. The issues have been remanded to obtain any additional VA treatment records and determine if a VA examination is required.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn. The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a right testicular/groin disability, right leg disability, or lumbosacral spine disability. Service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine condition and assigned a 50% rating for his tension headaches. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is remanded as part of this appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and affording the Veteran with VA examinations to determine the current severity of her service-connected disabilities. The appeal is now pending before the AOJ.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, but denied the remaining issues of increased ratings and secondary service connection. The Veteran is still seeking higher ratings for his back, left knee, and bilateral wrist disabilities.