Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2018

The claims for residuals of a broken nose, testosterone condition, tinnitus, brain tumor, and cervical spine tumor have been denied as new evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, bilateral hearing loss, and the remaining mental disabilities have also been remanded.

The Board has granted the reopening of the Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck condition characterized as degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine. The issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and heart block are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disability and a cervical spine disability. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disability was denied because new evidence did not establish a nexus between the condition and active duty service. The claim for a cervical spine disability was also denied as there is no credible evidence of an in-service injury that could be linked to the current disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions including lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, a heart condition, hypertension, colon cancer, and scar tissue surgery residuals. The VA is instructed to obtain information from SSA regarding any disability benefits the Veteran may have received.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disability and neurological disorder of the hands.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine as there was no evidence of an in-service injury and the Veteran did not show continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the cases of cervical and thoracolumbar spine disorders due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's service records indicate back pain in service, but VA treatment records are inactive after three years post-service.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and evaluation, including service connection claims for respiratory disability, cervical spine strain, left knee disability, and GERD. The Veteran's claims are based on environmental exposures in Southwest Asia during the Persian Gulf War.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, left ear hearing loss, and cephalgia were not granted service connection. The Veteran's tinnitus was denied a higher rating, GERD was denied an increased rating, and his lumbar spine disability prior to May 31, 2012, was also denied an increased rating.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for service-connected cervical spine disorder and right upper extremity radiculopathy prior to June 25, 2015 was denied as his education and work experience qualified him for sedentary substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's spouse is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on her need for aid and attendance due to multiple disabling conditions, including lumbar disc disease, cervical disc disease, major depression, and radiculopathy.

The Veteran's cervical spine and thoracolumbar DDD conditions are not rated higher than the current levels.,The Veteran’s psychiatric disability is also not rated higher than the current level.

The Board denied service connection for various musculoskeletal conditions, including shoulder and spine disabilities, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service disease or injury related to these conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus and hypertension were granted service connection. The left shoulder, right shoulder, cervical spine, sleep disability, cephalgia tension headaches (claimed as migraines), and acquired psychiatric disabilities were not granted service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, residuals of a left leg fracture, and a 3rd degree burn of the right ankle. Service connection was granted for neurological problems, to include headaches.,Service connection for a cervical spine disorder was not established as there is no evidence showing it had its onset in service or is otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the need for clarification of his lumbar spine disorder examination reports.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to June 10, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted for cervical spine disability, left knee disability, and obstructive sleep apnea. The appeals for thoracolumbar spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and acquired psychiatric disability are still pending.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and reviewing the case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for headaches, lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, erectile dysfunction, and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD and depressive disorder) require further examination and opinion to determine their etiology and service connection.