Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for radiculopathy of the right upper extremity is being remanded due to its inextricable link with his cervical spine disability. The medical records developed during the processing of his cervical spine disability may also impact this claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for his cervical spine disability, lumbar spine DDD/DJD, and right shoulder impingement syndrome due to lack of medical evidence supporting a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, cervicalgia and spondylosis is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that it began during service or is related to an in-service injury.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is denied as there is no evidence showing it began during service or is related to an in-service injury.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, right upper extremity, and lower extremities are all denied as they are not attributable to service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's paresthesias of the skin (claimed as myofascial pain) and chronic fatigue syndrome (claimed as chronic joint pain) are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeals regarding heart disability, prostate disability, radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, retinopathy, cervical spine disability, diabetic nephropathy, and an acquired psychiatric disability have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Bell’s palsy, cervical spine DDD, and obstructive sleep apnea. The claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was remanded.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease is granted as service connected, with all reasonable doubt resolved in his favor.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset and etiology.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests to reopen his claims for service connection for various conditions, including a right-hand disorder, spinal cord injury, skin condition, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence submitted since the July 2009 decision was deemed not new or material.

The claim for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis is granted. The claim for service connection for neck disability is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine and right hip disabilities due to incomplete records, need for additional examinations, and need to clarify service connection theory.

The Board has decided that additional development is necessary before a decision can be made on the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, as there are conflicting opinions from VA examiners and insufficient evidence to determine if the condition is related to service or secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative joint disease.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and readjudication due to new evidence received after a Substantive Appeal was filed.

The Veteran's claims for thoracolumbar and cervical spine disorders have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's back and neck disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his in-service car accident and his current conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the other issues related to the Veteran's conditions are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection due to additional evidence being added to the record, including VA examinations of his cervical spine, thoracic spine, right knee, and left knee. The claims will be reviewed again with consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability is denied as not related to service.

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease (DDD) as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Veteran's left knee disorder and erectile dysfunction are service-connected, but the right knee disorder, cervical spine disorder, bilateral hearing loss, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma are not.,Service connection is granted for erectile dysfunction as secondary to hypertension. The other conditions remain denied.,There is no evidence of a current cystalgia (pain in the bladder) disability, so service connection is denied.,The Veteran's right knee disorder, cervical spine disorder, bilateral hearing loss, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma are not service-connected.,Service connection for the cervical spine disorder is granted as it is related to a low back disorder. The other conditions remain denied.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss due to inservice noise exposure. The other conditions remain denied.,Service connection is granted for bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma due to inservice noise exposure. The other conditions remain denied.