Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2018

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability, a rating in excess of 20 percent for a lumbar spine disability, an increased rating for tinnitus, and a compensable rating for a lumbar spine scar. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for headaches, tinnitus, depressive disorder, and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy have been granted. The claim for right middle finger fracture residuals has been denied.,The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left shoulder condition and right shoulder condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's service connection claims for cervical spine disorder and sleep disorder (including sleep apnea and insomnia) due to lack of cooperation during previous VA examinations. The case is now being sent back for further examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for cervical spine condition, thoracolumbar spine condition, hypertension, GERD, depression, and prostate problems. These issues are now remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including chronic myositis of the paralumbar spine muscles, cervical spine with pain radiating to the lower extremities, sleep apnea, hypertension, cardiac arrhythmia, diabetes mellitus type II, subdural hematomas, headaches, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disability and denied entitlement to an increased rating for DDD of the lumbosacral spine.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was rated at 20 percent effective August 29, 2013.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as clarification of his Gulf War service. The issues include multiple musculoskeletal and psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection for insomnia is granted as secondary to her service-connected back and hip disabilities. An increased rating of 40 percent, but no higher, is granted for her thoracic spine disability. A TDIU rating is granted based on her unemployability due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded three issues related to service connection for shoulder and cervical spine disorders as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the use of crutches.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluation of various disabilities due to incomplete or insufficient evidence, including lack of recent VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as new and material evidence was not submitted. The Board found that the Veteran's statements regarding his disabilities were redundant of previous evidence.

The Veteran's death was caused by myelodysplastic syndrome, which is presumed to be due to exposure at Camp Lejeune. The Board grants service connection for the cause of his death and dismisses other claims as moot or not applicable.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, but has remanded them for further development to clarify periods of active service and obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various knee, back, cervical spine, and ankle disabilities were denied. The Veteran's service-connected conditions are rated based on their current functional impairment without considering any presumptive or secondary theories of service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding flare-ups and functional loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including back, left ankle, neck, right ankle, and left foot disabilities, have been denied as the evidence does not establish a link between these conditions and active service.,Service connection has also been denied for a mental disability, headache disability, sleep apnea, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy.

The Board has remanded several service connection issues, including for cervical spine strain, headaches, PTSD, sleep apnea (OSA), and prostate condition (BPH).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ankle strain has been granted.,Service connection is also granted for the Veteran's cervical spine disability. However, his claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder (dysthymic disorder) was denied as there is no direct evidence linking it to service.,The Veteran's dysthymic disorder is considered related to his in-service parachute malfunction injury.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, bilateral knees, and bilateral feet due to inadequate examinations in previous decisions.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection for a right knee sprain and an evaluation higher than 20 percent for left shoulder rotator cuff tear. The hypertension claim is denied as new and material evidence was not submitted.