Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability (neck disability), lumbar spine disability (back disability), and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy. The decision also noted that the Veteran's claims for temporary total convalescence ratings for his neck and back disabilities were not granted.,Service connection was denied as there is no evidence linking the current disabilities to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further evaluation due to conflicting opinions on the relationship between his cervical spine disability and service, as well as insufficient range of motion findings in his lumbar spine.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability is granted. The claim for an increased rating of 40 percent for bilateral hearing loss prior to April 19, 2016 is also granted. The claim for reopening of the squamous cell carcinoma and residuals due to nicotine dependence secondary to cervical spine disability is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia on a presumptive basis due to undiagnosed illness. The issues of service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, systemic lupus erythematosus with inflammatory arthritis, and bilateral foot disability are remanded as there is insufficient evidence addressing the relationship between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeals for cervical spine, thoracic spine, left eye, migraine headaches, right thumb arthritis, and right knee post-surgical scar disabilities have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for right knee degenerative joint disease, right ankle degenerative joint disease, PTSD, and right eye disability are pending and need further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD and a neck disorder is denied as there is no current diagnosis of GERD, and the Board finds that the Veteran's cervical spine symptoms are not related to an in-service injury or event.

Your appeals for service connection have been dismissed as you withdrew your appeal before a decision was made.

The Board has denied service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to service. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board dismissed the appeal of the spine disability other than cervical spine disability due to the Veteran's withdrawal.,Service connection for neck and right shoulder disabilities was denied as there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service connected. The appeal for service connection for a neck disability and psychiatric disability is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disability, back disability, bilateral hip disability, left leg disability, and bilateral ankle disability as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that caused these conditions.,There are no post-service medical records showing the Veteran sustained any injuries to his neck, back, hips, legs, or ankles during service.

The Veteran's skin cancer, chronic arthritis, acquired psychiatric disability (depression), osteoporosis, and cervical condition were not found to be related to his service.,All diagnoses were either not present during service or within one year of separation.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed cervical spine injury, finding that there is no evidence of a neck injury during service and concluding that any current condition is not related to service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's testimony regarding parachute jumps during active duty is considered in determining whether his current disabilities are related to military service.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for neck disability, left breast disability, cervical radiculopathy, and coronary artery disease (CAD). The cases are remanded to obtain VA examinations to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left ankle disability, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, pain and numbness of bilateral upper extremities, and pain and numbness of bilateral lower extremities. The decision also noted that new evidence had not been received to reopen a claim for left ankle disability.

The appeal for the cervical spine disorder is dismissed. The PTSD and TDIU claims are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability and radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities are not service connected, as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for Degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the cervical spine, Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine, Hypertension, and Hemorrhoids. The evidence submitted was not considered new and material.

The Board denied service connection for cervical dysplasia, human papilloma virus (HPV), and chronic cystitis as the Veteran does not have a current disability associated with these conditions.