Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2018

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a neck disability and remanded other issues including sleep apnea, allergic rhinitis, and pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is not service-connected as it did not manifest within one year of separation from service and there is no evidence linking the current condition to military service.,The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected as it is related to in-service noise exposure. The right knee disability is also service-connected as it was caused by a service-connected right ankle disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical and lumbar spine conditions, as well as service connection for neurological damage to the arms and legs, bilateral hip disability, bilateral ankle disability, and osteoarthritis of the knees are denied.,The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a bilateral shoulder disability or bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was not found to be related to service, and the claim for diabetes mellitus was denied. The Board is remanding the case for further development regarding possible Agent Orange exposure in the Philippines.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and attempting to obtain private medical records from D.M.C. The Veteran's cervical spine disability is being evaluated by a VA orthopedist to determine its etiology.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain a supplemental medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's cervical spine disorder was aggravated by in-service incidents, and to provide ongoing treatment records from the Salem VAMC.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine, right knee, and left knee disorders as secondary to a service-connected low back disorder due to lack of evidence showing such conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and examination to determine the relationship between his claimed conditions and service, with a focus on whether they are secondary to his service-connected non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphoma.

The Veteran's hearing loss and cervical spine degenerative disc disease have not been found to be compensably disabling, resulting in a denial of the claims.

The Veteran's cervical spine and right shoulder disorders are being remanded for further examination to determine their etiology. The claims for right arm and hand disorders will also be remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the cervical spine and right shoulder claims.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for clarification of the Veteran's spinal diagnoses, and further efforts to procure outstanding treatment records.

The Board has ordered additional development for the Veteran's claims, including VA examinations to address his cervical spine, right hand, lumbar spine, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) claims. The Veteran will be provided with a comprehensive examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation for the entire appeal period stemming from his January 30, 2008 claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disorders, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claims.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability (cervical strain) and denied service connection for right ear hearing loss. The sinus disability is still under consideration.

The Board found that the Veteran's arthritis of multiple joints (cervical and thoracolumbar spine) is not related to service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims, including an increased rating claim for his left knee disability and issues related to bilateral pes planus, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, cervical spine disability, and lumbar strain. The case will be remanded for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim for acne, but did not address other issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical strain and rotator cuff tendonitis are related to his military service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's neck and left shoulder disabilities as secondary to his service-connected right knee and left foot disabilities.