Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various spinal, nerve, joint, and psychiatric disabilities have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn his appeal of these issues. The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded due to new evidence.

The appeal for service connection of a cervical spine disorder is dismissed.,Service connection granted for GERD and acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depressive disorder.

The Board denied service connection for chronic residuals of a motor vehicle accident affecting the lumbar, thoracic, and cervical spine, bilateral shoulders, and bilateral arms. The evidence did not show any chronic residuals from the 1974 MVA.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and cervical spine disability. The VA examiners found no direct or secondary relationship to active service.

The Veteran's appeal is mixed, with some issues granted and others not. The decision addresses increased disability ratings for various knee disabilities, service connection claims, and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disorders were not incurred in service due to a pre-existing condition, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

This appeal is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus. The service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied because there is no current diagnosis of a hearing loss disability by VA standards.,The claims for emphysema with COPD and residuals of a spontaneous pneumothorax, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and PTSD are all remanded as the Veteran's symptoms have worsened since his last examination.

The Veteran's right shoulder, bilateral upper extremity nerve, and traumatic brain injury disabilities are granted service connection. The cervical spine disability is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and left knee disorder. The right knee total replacement and radiculopathy of the left upper extremity claims are remanded.

The Veteran's cervical DDD and left cervical radiculopathy are currently rated at 20% and 30%, respectively, since May 13, 2013. The Board has determined that these ratings do not adequately reflect the severity of his conditions during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to service, including considering his service treatment records and medical articles submitted by him.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is granted as service-connected, while his cervical spine and headaches disabilities are denied. The vertigo issue remains unresolved.,Service connection for the Veteran’s cervical spine disability cannot be established due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since December 12, 2011. The Board has determined that the criteria for TDIU are met as of this date.

The Board has remanded the issues of increased rating for right knee disability, service connection for left knee disability, service connection for right hip disability, service connection for left hip disability, service connection for back disability, and service connection for neck disability due to insufficient medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's periods of active duty for training and associated treatment records.

The Veteran's back disabilities, including degenerative arthritis and spondylolisthesis, are being remanded for further examination to determine if they were aggravated by service. The issue of bilateral sciatica is also being remanded as it is secondary to the Veteran's back disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee and cervical and lumbar spine disabilities have been denied. The criteria for higher disability ratings were not met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed neck, low back, and left knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during his active service. The evidence does not support a finding of chronicity within one year post-service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck condition, finding that it is not related to his military service and is more likely due to aging, obesity, and occupational history of construction work.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.