Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disability and a need for updated VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection for traumatic brain injury. The other claims of service connection have been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a cervical spine or lumbar spine disability that is etiologically related to service, and therefore denied both claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded multiple claims for service connection and evaluations, including those related to the Veteran's left shoulder, low back, right shoulder, cervical spine, left leg, right leg, bilateral eye, sleep-related symptoms, prostate, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, migraine headaches, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and acquired psychiatric disabilities. The remand also includes a request for additional medical records from SSA and VA.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including head injuries and cervical spine strain. The issues of service connection for these conditions are being reviewed again.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is remanded for a new examination to determine the nature and possible relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for various conditions has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his claims.,Claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates have been remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service connected due to exposure to herbicides. Other claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's cervical spine, low back, and respiratory disabilities are granted as service-connected. The cervical spine disability is linked to in-service injury, while the respiratory condition is attributed to tobacco use.

The Board denied all service connection claims, including those for hypertension, pulmonary or respiratory disability, cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities, bilateral shoulder and knee disabilities, bilateral ankle disabilities, and drug dependency. The decision also remanded the claim for right ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the claims must be remanded again for compliance with its prior remand directives due to inadequate examination findings regarding potential additional functional loss during flare-ups of the Veteran's neck and back disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's cervical spine disorder and his service, as well as the impact of this issue on his TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations. The Veteran's service-connected conditions include osteoarthritis of the cervical spine, lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease, right knee strain, left lower extremity radiculopathy (associated with lumbar strain), and mild incomplete paralysis of the left radial nerve.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed due to his failure to report for necessary VA examinations. Additionally, the Veteran withdrew his appeal on issues of hypertension and myofascial pain syndrome.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 20 percent evaluation for cervical spine disability effective June 4, 2018. The claim of service connection for TBI and the issue of a higher rating for cervical spine disability are both remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension, bilateral foot condition (to include pes planus, plantar fasciitis and arthritis), toe condition, hip condition, knee condition, ankle condition, cervical spine condition, lumbar spine condition, BUE peripheral neuropathy, BLE peripheral neuropathy, sinus condition, and gout were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Veteran's bilateral foot condition is related to his period of service.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities due to his withdrawal of those claims prior to a decision being made.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a head injury, cervical spine disorder, and headache disorder. The Veteran's claims were not supported by the medical evidence presented.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board denied service connection for lower back and cervical spine disorders, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.