Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident, including cervical fracture, right ankle fracture, fractured ribs, and facial fractures. The decision is pending further investigation into the Veteran's duty status prior to April 28, 2001.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and requests for examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and muscle spasms of the cervical spine, as these conditions are claimed to be secondary to service-connected temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). The VA examiner is asked to provide an addendum opinion addressing the nature and etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, head injury, cervical spine disability, left upper extremity radiculopathy, lumbar and thoracic spine disabilities, gastrointestinal problems (gastritis and GERD), bronchitis, essential benign tremor, and bladder dysfunction. The decision found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of evidence of a current disability or a link between his in-service exposure and any diagnosed conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine condition, finding no evidence of a nexus between his in-service events and his current condition.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for depression, a sleep disorder including obstructive sleep apnea, and various other conditions have been granted. The decision also remands several rating decisions.

The Board has denied service connection for migraine headaches and remanded the cases of neck disability and left hip disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine disability and right shoulder/arm pain, but denied both on a compensation basis due to dishonorable service during the period of ACDUTRA. The claims are reopened.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for various conditions, including right knee chondromalacia, left knee chondromalacia, cervical strain with degenerative disc disease, radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, and degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine. The remand also includes a TDIU claim.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and paresthesias of the left and right upper extremities are related to service.,A rating of 40 percent for lumbar spine degenerative joint disease is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for osteoarthritis of the cervical spine has been dismissed as the appellant (through his representative) has withdrawn the appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange and its potential impact on his diabetes.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, and bilateral upper extremity neuropathy of the median nerve.,The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing a nexus between his current disabilities and active service.

The Board has granted service connection for neck and low back disabilities, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder and migraine headaches on a secondary basis to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's neck disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has ordered a remand to ensure proper examination for range of motion testing.

The Veteran's appeals for higher evaluations of his cervical spine, left and right upper extremity radiculopathy conditions were dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal. The Board also granted a TDIU effective prior to November 10, 2015.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for diabetes and hypertension were dismissed. The Board also denied increased ratings for her degenerative arthritis of the left knee and meniscal tear with degenerative arthritis of the right knee, but granted a separate rating of 10 percent for painful extension of each knee. Service connection was denied for tinnitus, sleep apnea, herniated cervical disc, and lumbar spine condition.

The Board has vacated the January 2018 decision denying service connection for various conditions, including cervical spine disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorder, left leg disorder, right leg disorder, hearing loss of the right ear, OSA, blood platelet disorder, and thyroid condition. The issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA medical opinions and inextricably intertwined issues. The case will be returned for further development, including new examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for back and neck disabilities due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's lay statements indicate she experienced pain during active duty, but VA examinations were cancelled without explanation. The Board finds it appropriate to reschedule the VA examinations.