Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus but has remanded the claims for a cervical disability and low back disability due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's claims for migraine headaches, increased rating for right scapula fracture residuals, and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various disabilities, including right wrist, cervical spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities, as well as an acquired psychiatric disability and a lumbar spine disability. The appeals are being remanded due to outstanding records from Dr. James Morgan and the Texas Rehab Commission needing to be located and associated with the file, and a VA examination for the claimed psychiatric disability and lumbar spine disability is needed.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for heat sensitivity, respiratory disability, neck and back disabilities, joint disability or polyarthritis, and balance disability due to outstanding VA treatment records and further medical examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his right shoulder disorder, service connection for a neurological disorder of the right upper extremity including radiculopathy and carpal tunnel syndrome, and service connection for a cervical spine disorder due to inadequate examinations and opinions provided.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and the cause of death (chronic aspiration pneumonia, altered mental state, new onset seizure disorder) is not related to VA care or treatment. The Board denied both claims for service connection for the cause of death and DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Board has remanded the claims due to inadequate examinations that did not account for flare-ups, which are a significant factor in assessing spinal disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine condition, to include as secondary to service-connected thoracic and lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis is granted. The claims for service connection for right arm and left arm conditions are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations. The issues include PTSD, depression, a respiratory disorder, TBI with insomnia and memory loss, lumbar strain/sprain, cervical DDD, and migraine headaches.

The Board has remanded the claims for an unexplained burning sensation of the skin, headaches, flat feet (pes planus), and memory loss due to cervical spine degenerative disc disease. The appeals are pending.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right finger disability, cervical spine disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, heart disability (to include coronary artery disease), hypertension, high cholesterol, melanoma, diabetes mellitus, headaches, and acquired psychiatric disability (to include anxiety).

The Veteran's service-connected rheumatoid arthritis did not contribute to his death from congestive heart failure and diabetes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity as to preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 12, 2010. The Board granted TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of a rib cage fracture has been denied as there is no current diagnosis or other competent finding of a current disorder.,The Veteran's hiatal hernia has been granted an increased rating to 30 percent, but the case is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology and severity.,The Veteran's left knee disorder, right knee disorder, cervical spine degenerative disc disease (neck), and degenerative arthritis of the spine (back) have all been remanded for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's residuals of a right foot fracture has also been remanded for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's migraines have been remanded for an updated VA examination to assess their current severity.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of a psychiatric disability. The cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are now considered to be related to military service, while hearing loss is presumed due to exposure during active duty.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability has been denied. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, depression, anxiety disorder, and bipolar disorder, is remanded due to the need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to evaluate the current nature and severity of the Veteran's residuals from right lobe pneumonia, including lumbar spine kyphosis and limited cervical spine range of motion.

The claim for service connection for neck disability is reopened and granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck disability, lower gastrointestinal disability (IBS), and GERD due to outstanding VA treatment records and need for additional medical opinions.