Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability with dizziness was denied in August 2012, and the Board found no new and material evidence to reopen this claim. The Veteran's claim for bilateral knee and lower leg disabilities secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative joint disease was also denied in February 2010, but reopened due to new and material evidence received since then.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for balance problems (also claimed as dizziness) has been granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for a neck disability and found that new evidence supports reopening. However, it was determined that there is no direct or presumptive service connection due to lack of in-service injury and insufficient continuity of symptoms.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder and thoracic outlet syndrome of the left upper extremity have been granted service connection. The Veteran is also entitled to a 20% rating for her thoracic outlet syndrome, but not higher.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder disability, left hip disability, left knee disability, left ankle disability, and cervical spine disability due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,There is no credible evidence showing that the Veteran's current disabilities began during his military service or are related to any in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back disability, tinnitus, throat cancer, and bladder cancer due to potential exposure to diesel fumes during service. The Veteran is scheduled for examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to missing Social Security Administration (SSA) records and need for clarification on the nature and etiology of his right knee, right ankle, cervical spine, lumbar spine, and coronary artery disease. The VA will obtain these records and provide further medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, cervical spine osteoarthritis, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's current diagnoses are not related to his active duty service.,There is no evidence of any neck injury or diagnosis of cervical spine disability during service or for more than a decade after service.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder and remanded other claims due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.,The Board denied service connection for bilateral hip disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and cervical spine disability. The Board also remanded issues related to increased rating for cervicogenic headaches and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disorders are related to his active service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board found the reduction in rating from 40% to 10% for lumbosacral strain was proper, but remanded the issues of service connection for a cervical spine condition and increased rating for lumbosacral strain.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions and the need for additional development of records.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation of her service-connected conditions and to determine the propriety of a reduction in disability ratings.

The Board has remanded the claims due to inadequate VA examinations, and new etiology opinions are required.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations to assess his service-connected disabilities, including a left foot condition and GERD. The Veteran also has multiple issues related to his cervical spine, lumbar spine, right wrist, knees, hips, and feet.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his left hip, lumbar spine, and cervical spine disabilities due to new evidence indicating a worsening of these conditions. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and cervical spine disability, finding that these conditions are proximately due to his service-connected right hip disability. Service connection was denied for a left ACL rupture.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disorders due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran is required to provide additional medical records, and a VA examination will be conducted to determine if his current spinal conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition has worsened, causing pain, numbness, tingling and decreased grip strength in her bilateral upper extremities. The Board finds a remand is warranted for a new VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of her cervical spine disorder and the origin of her symptoms.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to outstanding treatment records and additional VA examinations.