Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for Degenerative Joint Disease of the Cervical Spine was denied. However, his Sarcoidosis condition received a 30% disability rating effective September 2, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine and thoracic spine disorders (claimed as back conditions) have been denied.,Service connection for a left foot disorder has also been denied, with the Board finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or event related to the current condition.,Service connection for a left calf disorder was also denied.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding higher disability evaluations for his service connected TBI and left knee disabilities, as well as his claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and headaches.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient discussion on extraschedular evaluation and incomplete treatment records. The Veteran's neck disability may require an extraschedular rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities are secondary to his service-connected shoulder disabilities. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is also being remanded for further examination and opinion.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss, but denied for cervical spine DJD, hypertension, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left arm disorder, left ankle disorder, and right ankle disorder. The TBI, equilibrium disorder, and gastroesophageal reflux disease claims are also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, right foot hallux valgus, and PTSD. Service connection was denied for a left foot disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for back, neck, left leg drop, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and inadequate opinions.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a cervical spine injury as the evidence did not show that the Veteran's current cervical spine disability was related to his in-service injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are not related to his in-service motor vehicle accident, as there is no medical evidence showing a link between the service-connected injuries and the current conditions. The weight of the evidence does not support a finding that it is at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater) that these disabilities began during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to outstanding medical records and examination needs.

The Board has decided that the cervical spine disability, claimed as a neck injury, is related to service-connected disabilities of the bilateral shoulders, scoliosis, and/or knee. However, further examination by an appropriate clinician is needed to determine if this relationship exists.

The Board has decided that the cervical spine disability, claimed as a neck injury, is related to service-connected disabilities of the bilateral shoulders, scoliosis, and/or knee. However, further examination by an appropriate clinician is needed to determine if this relationship exists.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder and headaches have been granted service connection.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss has not been established.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and lumbar spine as there was no evidence showing these conditions were first manifested in service or within one year after service, and the VA examiners opined that any current disabilities are less likely caused by service.

The Board has granted service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, finding it proximately due to a service-connected lumbar spine disability. The other issues on appeal are remanded.

The Board has determined that additional evidence must be considered and a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) should be provided to address new VA medical treatment records, SSA disability records, and VA examination reports. The claims for right knee disability, cervical spine disability, and left knee DJD are being remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for right shoulder disability, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, lumbar strain, left knee strain, right knee scars, bilateral hearing loss, and adjustment disorder with anxiety. The VA treatment records from December 2014 to the present are requested.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities, as well as radiculopathy, diaphoresis, hypertension, residuals of inguinal hernia, gastrointestinal disability, prostate disability, and peripheral nerve disability (claimed as peripheral neuropathy) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for arm pain (degenerative joint disease of the bilateral shoulder).

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a cervical spine condition and sleep apnea due to incomplete opinions from VA examiners. The Veteran's cervical condition is related to his military service, but the examiner found no evidence in service records. Sleep apnea was diagnosed after service, and there is conflicting information about its onset.