Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and examination, including service connection claims and a TDIU claim. The Veteran's adjustment disorder with anxiety is also being remanded for an additional VA examination.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims for various disabilities. The Veteran's claim for tonsillitis is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition. Service connection for migraine headaches is granted due to credible lay and medical evidence showing a history of such headaches during service and since then. Other claims are remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including those related to the Veteran's lumbar spine, right and left ankle, left elbow, right elbow, cervical spine, thoracic spine, left wrist, right wrist, left hip, right hip, right knee, left knee, and chronic bronchitis disabilities. The claims are being returned to the RO for additional development.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted with a rating of 50 percent, effective July 3, 2019. Service connection for other conditions remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since April 3, 2013. The Board has granted TDIU effective from that date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection related to musculoskeletal disabilities, including left shoulder disability, cervical spine sprain, thoracolumbar spine strain, and abdominal muscle strain are all denied. The Board finds that VA examinations are required for the remaining claims.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for cause of death, finding that neither a respiratory nor cardiovascular disease was incurred in or aggravated by service or causally related to service-connected disorders. The Veteran's PTSD did not substantially or materially contribute to his death.

The VA denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's cervical strain, finding that his disability did not meet criteria for higher ratings based on range of motion or neurological findings.

The Veteran's PTSD, along with his back and knee disabilities, has resulted in a TDIU effective March 30, 2006. The Board granted a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD effective the same date.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and insufficient rationale for the findings. The Veteran's chronic neck disability is being reviewed again with a new examination by an examiner other than those who examined him in March 2016 and October 2017.

The Veteran's service connection claims for cervical spine, left shoulder, left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, lymphatic cancer of the neck, oropharyngeal or tonsil cancer, and hypertension are all remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is also required to undergo a new VA examination to evaluate his acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and insomnia).

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected disabilities, including a request for increased ratings and service connection. The Board has determined that these matters require additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is etiologically related to his active duty service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided that the VA needs to gather more information about whether the Veteran's cervical and thoracolumbar spine disorders are related to his service. The examination is needed to determine if these conditions began during or were caused by his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disability. The Veteran contends that his disability is related to a helicopter crash during service, but the VA examiner did not discuss relevant records from May 1990 and April 1985.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to assess the relationship between the Veteran's current cervical spine condition and his in-service complaints, as well as whether it is related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative arthritis and migraine headaches, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder is not related to service, and thus denied this claim. The lumbar spine disorder claim is remanded as there is insufficient evidence on record regarding its relationship to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine, PTSD, and depression. The Board found no causal relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), scar of the right anterior base of neck, radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, and radiculopathy of the right upper extremity as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine disability. The remand requires additional opinions regarding whether these conditions are aggravated by the service-connected lumbar spine disability.