Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased evaluations have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and needs a supplemental opinion regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disability.

The Veteran withdrew all issues on appeal prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has granted the petitions to reopen claims for service connection for bilateral hip disability, cervical spine disability (claimed as neck disability), lumbar disability, sinusitis and/or allergic rhinitis, and migraine headaches. The claims are remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical spine, knee, and ankle disabilities due to his left tibia injury. The Veteran will need to provide updated medical records and VA examinations are scheduled to address these issues.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hip, knee, ankle, lumbar spine, and cervical spine disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing the conditions were related to service or any other compensable period.,The Veteran's assertions that his current disabilities are related to parachute jumps during service were not supported by credible medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's cervical and thoracic spine disabilities, specifically whether they are related to service or secondary to his service-connected knee and foot disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims regarding his cervical and thoracolumbar spine conditions, as well as his gastrointestinal disorder. Specifically, VA examinations are required to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spondylosis, lumbar spine levoscoliosis, and bilateral pes planus due to lack of recent VA examinations and incomplete medical records. The Veteran is also being asked to provide information about her employability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are incomplete due to unclear dates of his active duty and National Guard/Reserve service, missing service treatment records, and outstanding VA and private treatment records. The claims will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied as the Veteran failed to report for necessary VA examinations, which are required for proper evaluation of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that new VA examinations are needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's right shoulder, left shoulder, and cervical spine disabilities due to inadequate previous evaluations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,An effective date of June 9, 2006, but not earlier, has been granted for service connection for a cervical spine disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for nonservice-connected pension and cervical spine disability. The Board dismissed the appeals as a result.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability has been reopened and granted. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to possibly include PTSD, depression, anxiety) remains denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and examination, including obtaining updated treatment records and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's back disorder and neurological symptoms.

The Veteran's cervical strain, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and headaches are all currently rated. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral foot condition, sleep apnea, left knee disability, and right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for cervical spine injury, bilateral hearing loss, and chronic bronchiectasis due to incomplete records and need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claim for higher initial disability ratings for the service-connected thoracolumbar scoliosis, cervical spondylosis, esophageal reflux, erectile dysfunction, and testiculitis has been dismissed.,Higher initial disability ratings have been granted for hypertension (10 percent) and varicose veins of both legs (20 percent).

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated as 10 percent disabling, effective July 1, 2010. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this condition.,For his left and right CTS, both rated at 10 percent, the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.