Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's application to reopen claims for cervical spine disability and headaches was denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to support the reopening of these claims, as the existing evidence did not establish a link between the disabilities and service.

The Board has ordered the Veteran's claims remanded for further examinations to reconcile inconsistent physical findings and determine if any of the claimed disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings prior to September 27, 2002 have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, including arthritis and degenerative disc disease, finding that there was no credible evidence of an in-service injury or chronic condition following service.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee DJD, cervical spine DJD and spondylosis, and headaches as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right and left foot disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and denied service connection for left hip and left ankle disabilities. The cervical spine disability is found to be related to active service, while the left hip and left ankle disabilities are not.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's gastrointestinal disability. The remaining issues of service connection for bilateral shoulder, neck, and knee disabilities as well as hypertension are also being reviewed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, enlarged heart, thoracolumbar spine DDD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) are all remanded due to the need for additional evidence or examination. The claim for Chiari Malformation has been denied previously.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for hemorrhoids and bilateral hearing loss due to the significant time since his last VA examinations.,Service connection for back disorder and cervical disorder have been denied as there is no evidence of arthritis within one year after separation from service.

The Board has determined that VA examinations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of various conditions, including low back and cervical spine disorders, shoulder disorders, knee disorders, hearing loss, tinnitus, GERD, TBI, headaches, and hand tremors. The Veteran's service records show in-service accidents and injuries, but further medical evaluation is required to establish a connection between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's temporary total disability rating for convalescence following his December 2011 neck surgery is granted from December 6, 2011 to January 4, 2012. The decision is based on the successful completion of one month of convalescence post-surgery.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to allegations of functional impairments related to pain, which may require separate assessments of the involved joints.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral shin splints, bilateral knee disability (to include as secondary to bilateral shin splints), low back disability (to include as secondary to bilateral shin splints), bilateral hip disability (to include as secondary to bilateral shin splints), right shoulder condition, and upper back/neck disability have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,The Veteran's service connection claims are currently pending on a secondary basis to his previously denied claims of bilateral shin splints.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to clarify the Veteran's periods of active service and to obtain any outstanding military personnel records. The Veteran also needs VA examinations for his claimed disabilities, including neck disability, left foot disability, right foot disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left wrist disability, right wrist disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), and acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claimed disabilities are denied as they do not meet the criteria for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to lack of additional disability resulting from a fall at the VA Medical Center in July 2011.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea due to lack of a current diagnosis and no in-service incident or injury linked to the condition. The cervical strain and lumbar strain claims were remanded for additional development, including an addendum opinion on the Veteran's reported pain history and lay statements from his commanding officer and fellow soldier. The varicella zoster claim was also remanded for a medical examination to determine if it is at least as likely as not that the in-service varicella zoster condition relates to the current manifestations of the disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's cervical spine disability is related to service, specifically a hit on his shoulder during active duty for training in 2002. Additional medical records and an examination are needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating of PTSD, service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disorders due to lack of updated medical records and unclear etiology.

The Veteran's claim for carpal tunnel syndrome of the bilateral hands is dismissed as he withdrew it.,Service connection granted for unspecified trauma/stressor-related disorder. The Board found that his current diagnosis is related to in-service experiences and denied service connection for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, type II, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and lower extremities due to lack of evidence of herbicide exposure.,Service connection denied for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, type II with peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities. The Veteran's service in Okinawa did not meet criteria for presumptive service connection due to herbicide exposure.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's current disabilities are not related to her military service.