Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities, as well as his GI disorder, are granted service connection. The cervical spine disability is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current cervical spine disability and his in-service turret accident.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen his claims of service connection for multiple joint pain, a cervical spine disability, chronic fatigue, major depressive disorder/anxiety disorder, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's cervical spine disability. The Board found that while there was no direct evidence linking the injury to his active duty service, the Veteran has provided credible testimony regarding an in-service incident where a generator door fell on him during a Scud missile attack.,The claims of service connection for chronic fatigue and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are remanded as new and material evidence was received.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and likely cause of any neck, bilateral knee, breathing, and back disabilities. The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various shoulder, knee, and cervical spine disabilities have been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.,Service connection has also not been granted for tinnitus due to lack of a current diagnosis.

The Veteran's chronic headaches, diagnosed as migraines, are related to service and service connection is granted. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his neck condition is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his back disability, as well as his claim for a cervical spine disability. The reasons include needing additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions, and obtaining updated VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for low back disability, cervical spine disability, and bilateral knee disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's VA treatment records show current diagnoses of degenerative changes in his lumbar, thoracic, and cervical spines, as well as osteoarthritis in both knees. Further examination is needed to determine the relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding her active duty and National Guard service, particularly concerning ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA periods from 2003 to 2009. The appellant must provide verification of these periods and any related treatment records.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the severity of the Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae, whether he has an additional disability due to VA treatment in 2010, and the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder, hip, great toe, cervical spine, hearing loss, and tinnitus disabilities. The Board also requires a new examination for these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including low back strain and migraine headaches, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted his application for total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's request to reopen claims for right ear hearing loss, residuals of TBI, and chest pain was denied. The Board found new and material evidence for the TBI claim.,Sleep apnea, left elbow disability, left shoulder bursitis, cervical spine disability, left hip disability, right pubic tendonitis, left ankle disability, right ankle sprain, left eye injury, stomach pain, kidney stones, service-connected cyst on the right side of the face, numbness in left hand and fingers (carpal tunnel syndrome), leg pain (left and right), and uncontrollable twitching and pain were all remanded for further review.

The Veteran's cervical strain is granted service connection. The Veteran's sleep apnea claim, which is secondary to his service-connected disabilities, is remanded for further review.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia and remanded the remaining issues due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for DDD of the cervical spine and tinnitus was denied. The February 1993 rating decision regarding right knee disorder is considered final, and a CUE claim for that decision is also denied. Service connection for chronic orthopedic manifestations of lumbar spine DDD was denied with respect to the period from June 30, 2014 to April 19, 2015, and since April 19, 2015.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, neck, left hip, and right hip disabilities due to a lack of VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include depressive disorder. The claims for hypertension and neck disabilities are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for cervical spine disability and right arm radiculopathy. The examiner is asked to provide an explanation on whether these conditions are related to service, including considering the Veteran's work during his military service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease and increased ratings for left knee conditions due to new evidence. The total rating case is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities are being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new examination.