Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to evaluate her right upper extremity and cervical spine disorders in the context of her full medical history.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected cervical spine disability. The TDIU claim will also be reconsidered.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions including left shoulder, thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine, bilateral upper and lower extremities, hip, leg/knee, right ankle, and foot disorders. The decision was based on the lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before a final determination may be made on the issues of a higher initial rating for lumbar spondylosis, entitlement to TDIU, and service connection for a neck disability and radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to active service.,The Veteran's preexisting lumbar spine disorder was not aggravated by active duty service. The cervical, knee, hip, stomach, headache, and right shoulder disorders were not shown in service or for many years thereafter.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The Board found that the Veteran's low back disorder is related to his in-service injury, and as such, the cervical spine and left hip disorders are also considered secondary to this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and treatment records.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current tension headaches and DDD of the cervical spine, as well as whether these conditions are secondary to his service-connected right shoulder separation with DJD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability did not have its onset in service and was not caused or permanently aggravated by his active military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting addendum opinions.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine tumor was not incurred during service and is not related to events in service, including exposure to ionizing radiation. The evidence did not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has reopened and granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss disability, low back disability, neck disability, parotid gland neoplasm, radiculopathy of upper extremities, peripheral neuropathy of upper extremities, radiculopathy of lower extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of lower extremities.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of a hernia disability and thus the Veteran does not meet the threshold element for service connection. The cervical spine disability was diagnosed during active duty, but the examiner's opinion regarding its etiology will be needed to determine if it is related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's claims for psychiatric disorder, residuals of a head injury, tinnitus, right eye disability, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability are not etiologically related to his active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability, an increased rating for residuals of right knee meniscectomy, and TDIU. The VA examiner found that the current cervical spine condition was less likely than not caused by an injury or mechanical stress in service.

The Board denied service connection for back and neck disorders as the evidence did not show a nexus to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including cervical spine disability, bilateral shoulder disability, right ankle disability, restless leg syndrome, diabetes mellitus, Type II, and narcolepsy were denied as there is no evidence of current diagnoses or a link to military service.

The Board found that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's current back disability to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and private medical records, scheduling VA examinations to address his claimed psychiatric and orthopedic disabilities, and readjudication of the claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities are service-connected as they are found to be directly related to his military service.