Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for a cervical spine disability, increased ratings for lower extremity radiculopathy and lumbar spine disability, and an earlier effective date for the right lower extremity radiculopathy rating. The Veteran is also required to provide updated evidence of his need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran and his representative withdrew their appeals for the issues of service connection for various conditions, including cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, essential hypertension, bilateral renal cysts, prostate disability, high cholesterol, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD).

The Board has remanded the claims due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, and the RO must consider this evidence before readjudicating the cases.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran is seeking service connection for acid reflux allegedly due to exposure at Camp Lejeune, and an initial compensable rating for his cervical spondylosis.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection and increased ratings are inextricably intertwined with other issues, including TDIU. The Veteran's depression is remanded for a new opinion on causation and aggravation. His cervical and lumbar spine conditions, bilateral knee disabilities, and OSA are also remanded for additional examinations to determine etiology and severity.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including arthritis of the lower and upper extremities, cervical spine disability, low back disability, foot pain, glaucoma, and abdominal hernia. The evidence did not show any in-service onset or relationship to active service.,There were no complaints, diagnoses, or treatment records documenting these conditions during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service treatment records and the need for an orthopedic examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's claimed neck and back disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disability has been reopened and granted.,Service connection is also granted for IBS, but denied. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of IBS that is secondarily related to his service-connected GERD.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings for various conditions, including hypertension, varicose veins with PAD resulting from DVT, low back disability, neck disability, CAD with MI, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, deviated left nasal septum, and malocclusion of the anterior maxilla.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's case due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues are whether the reduction in disability rating was proper, and entitlement to higher ratings for his service-connected cervical spine status post-fusion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating increases due to ongoing complaints of wrist, neck, shoulder, ankle, lumbar spine, left knee, right knee, and epididymo-orchitis disorders. The case requires further examination and opinion regarding these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes is denied. The cervical spine disability and bilateral hearing loss issues are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are now before the Board.,The issues of entitlement to service connection for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, hypertension, gastrointestinal disability (peptic ulcer disease), acquired psychiatric disability (major depression disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and PTSD), diabetes mellitus, and tinnitus are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbar and cervical spine disorders, as well as his left ankle disorder, were denied. The case was remanded for further development regarding the left ankle disorder and TDIU claim.

The Veteran's DDD of the cervical spine is granted as service connected. The issues of service connection for a back disorder, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus are remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted service connection based on a finding of chronic symptoms during service and continuous since separation. The cervical spine disability is denied as there are no chronic symptoms in service or continuity after service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease, thoracolumbar scoliosis, left hip condition, left foot condition, and migraines are all under review.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and a rating of 20 percent has been granted for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine. The claim for hypertension remains pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and bilateral knee pain due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disability, neck disability (secondary to right shoulder AC separation), and neurological disability of the right upper extremity. The evidence did not support a finding that these disabilities were incurred in or aggravated by service.