Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection of cervical, right hip, and left hip disabilities due to their potential relationship with his service-connected lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to determine if he has these conditions and whether they are related to his service or service-connected condition.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative joint disease and tension headaches, finding that the Veteran's conditions had their onset during his active duty service. The decision is based on credible evidence of symptoms occurring in combat.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of service connection for allergic rhinitis, shingles, and tension headaches. The claims for left foot arthritis, chest pain (costochondritis), cervical spine disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, left knee disability, left ankle disability, and left heel spur are remanded.

The Veteran's cervical disability is rated at 20 percent prior to March 20, 2014 and at 30 percent as of that date. The claim for service connection for a left hand/wrist injury is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service records from qualifying periods of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) were not considered in the previous decision, and therefore remands are required to consider these periods.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability. The appeal regarding the denial of service connection for hearing loss was dismissed due to no clear and unmistakable error in the 2003 rating decision.

The Board denied service connection for psychiatric disorders, hypertension, gastrointestinal disabilities, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing a direct relationship to service or secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine, right knee, left knee, and headaches are all related to his service-connected right ankle disability.,However, the VA examiners found that these conditions were not proximately due or a result of his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Veteran's motion to revise or reverse the September 1998 rating decision that assigned a noncompensable rating for bilateral shin splints is denied.,The Veteran's motion to revise or reverse the September 1998 rating decision that assigned a 10 percent rating for cervical strain with parascapular muscle spasm and myofascial syndrome is remanded.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for low back and neck disabilities, but denied reopening of the claim for service connection for a neck disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, and right and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to incomplete information in the June 2015 SOC. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional records and provide an addendum opinion regarding the cervical spine condition.

The Veteran's current bilateral tinnitus is etiologically related to his active service.,No hearing loss disability has been presented at any time during the pendency of the claim.,The Veteran does not have a diagnosis of a cervical spine disorder.,The Veteran does not have a diagnosis of a traumatic brain injury.,The Veteran does not have a diagnosis of a headache disorder.,The Board lacks jurisdiction over the claims for service connection for scar, right side of the head and residuals of a right-hand laceration, to include a scar because these claims were granted in October 2013 and rendered moot.,The claim of entitlement to service connection for amblyopia of the right eye is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, tinnitus, headaches, a cervical spine disability, and dental issues. The claims are being returned to the RO for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations of cervical spine traumatic arthritis and a compensable rating for headaches have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeals.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for asthma, sleep apnea, headaches, neck pain, lower back condition, right knee condition, and left knee condition due to a lack of VA examinations and opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further development. The Veteran's low back disability, right leg sciatica, neck disability, and a disability of the right arm manifested by numbness are all under review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hemorrhoids, right shoulder tendonitis, cervical strain, thoracic strain, status post nasal cystectomy, and status post cholecystectomy due to insufficient evidence in some cases.

The Board has denied service connection for emphysema, cervical spine radiculopathy, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The skin disability issue is remanded.,For the cervical spine radiculopathy claim, a new opinion is needed to determine if it is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to her injury during active duty.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: service connection for a cervical spine disorder and the rating of crural epidermophytosis. The Veteran's appeal is being returned due to insufficient evidence.