Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for low back and neck disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and active military service.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims of service connection for a back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and neck disability due to outstanding records.

The Veteran's initial increased rating claim for cervical spine disability from July 17, 2009 was denied by the Board. The case is now remanded due to inadequate examination reports and need for additional medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable since July 2, 2014, and a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and PTSD are all granted as service-connected.,Left foot tendonitis, right foot tendonitis, neck disability, low back disability, bilateral pes planus, left heel calcaneal spur, right heel calcaneal spur, and hemorrhoids remain pending for further development.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a cervical spine condition, as it is unclear whether the Veteran's neck condition was caused or aggravated by her service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbosacral or cervical strain condition is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The reduction from a 50 percent rating for hearing loss to zero percent was proper. The Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee, right knee, left foot, right foot, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disorders are remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as a cervical spine disability. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions, particularly in relation to exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a right knee disorder, cervical spine condition, back condition, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety and depressive disorder), stomach condition, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, right wrist condition, left wrist condition, chronic fatigue, and sleep apnea. The Board also denied reopening the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disorder.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, scar on chin, and bilateral foot condition as there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's postoperative right shoulder dislocation with early degenerative changes is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,Service connection for a right hand disability is remanded as there are no current medical records or findings to support such an entitlement.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his cervical spine disability is being remanded due to the addition of new VA treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disorders as there was no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service, and the current conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is not related to service.,His right eye disorder and left eye disorder were not related to service.,His cervical spine disorder was not related to service.,Neurological disorders of the upper and lower extremities are not related to service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, hepatitis C, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) need to be remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral foot disability, hypertension, sleep apnea, and cervical spine disability.,New evidence submitted since previous final denial does not establish a new or material fact to reopen any of these claims.

The Board has decided that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical evidence and conduct another VA examination to determine if the Veteran's cervical spine disorder, including degenerative disc disease, is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. Service connection was not granted due to lack of a diagnosed disability in the left ear or sleep disturbances. The cervical strain and left ankle conditions did not meet criteria for higher ratings based on current evidence.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status due to service-connected disabilities is remanded as the current examination report does not address whether he requires aid and attendance or is housebound.