Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2018

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine and left arm disabilities are not related to service, including his in-service accident.,Service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for higher disability ratings and service connection was denied. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher initial disability rating for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, nor does he have bilateral hearing loss or entitlement to TDIU prior to February 1, 2008.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations and missing medical records. The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine degenerative changes and cervical syndrome with mild degenerative changes are being evaluated again, along with his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

Service connection granted for tinnitus, hemorrhoids, headache disability, and allergic rhinitis.,Service connection denied for cervical spine disorder and thoracolumbar spine disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and inextricably intertwined issues. The Veteran's lumbar spine, cervical spine, left shoulder disabilities, and headaches are being reviewed again.

The Veteran's service records do not show any treatment for left shoulder, right shoulder, cervical spine, left hip, right hip, left knee, right knee, left ankle, or foot disorders during his active duty. The Board finds no evidence of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology.,The Veteran's service records do not show any treatment for left shoulder, right shoulder, cervical spine, left hip, right hip, left knee, right knee, left ankle, or foot disorders during his active duty. The Board finds no evidence of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is related to her in-service neck strain and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for plantar warts, bilateral foot disability (DJD), right shoulder disability, and cervical spine disability. However, it remains unclear whether these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has found that the Veteran's lumbar and cervical strains are etiologically related to her active service, granting her claims for service connection.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities limit him to sedentary employment. The earlier effective date claim for asthma was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claim should be remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of his back disability and whether it is related to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities. This includes obtaining medical records, scheduling a VA examination, and clarifying certain notations in previous examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct further evaluations. The claims for increased ratings and service connection will be reconsidered after the development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical spondylosis and granted it on the merits, finding that there is a reasonable possibility of establishing service connection due to his in-service fever which could have been an initial presentation for spondylarthritis.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities have been granted increased ratings, with the highest possible evaluation for his cervical spine disability. The GERD claim was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, GERD, hematuria, fibromyalgia, ulcer, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, left shoulder disability, nerve damage to the left hand, arms, and feet, and right hand disability have been denied due to lack of credible supporting evidence for the claimed in-service stressors and no link between current conditions and service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for additional vocational rehabilitation services as she has been employed in a stable position since May 2008 and does not have an employment handicap.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion to address secondary service connection for cervical spine disability and seizure disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is being remanded due to inadequate examination findings and need for further development.

The Veteran's cervical HNP, status post arterio cervical discectomy, C5-C6 corpectomy did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise related to service.