Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for cervical strain and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent prior to June 2, 2015 or in excess of 30 percent thereafter. Additionally, there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine or entire spine, and no neurologic abnormalities associated with the cervical strain.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck disability and a lower back disability, finding that there is no medical evidence to support a causal relationship between her service-connected left shoulder condition and her claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims due to new information about Air Force Reserve service and a change in VA regulations regarding herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and lower back injury, finding no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that new examinations are needed for the Veteran's cervical spine, lumbar spine, and bilateral knee disabilities due to functional loss not being described in terms of range of motion. The TDIU issue is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, with the exception of cervical hyperlordosis. The new evidence submitted supports reopening of the claims for tingling and numbness of the upper extremities and pharyngitis.,Ratings in excess of 10 percent are denied for sciatica of the right lower extremity and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine disability, finding that it was not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected lumbar and thoracic spine disabilities.

The Board has found that an earlier effective date for the increased ratings of low back and neck disabilities is not warranted, as there was no ascertainable increase in disability prior to March 29, 2017. The case is now REMANDED due to the Veteran's failure to receive a Statement of the Case regarding his claims.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for a cervical spine disorder and thoracolumbar spine disorder due to inadequate opinions regarding service connection. The Veteran's pre-existing lumbar spine disorders are presumed to have existed prior to his entry into active duty, but further examination is needed to determine if they were aggravated by service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but the issues of service connection for a left shoulder disability, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, right ankle condition, and injury to the right eye are remanded due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's claim for a dermatological condition was denied as there is no current diagnosis of the claimed condition.,The Veteran's DJD right shoulder was granted service connection based on in-service injury and continuity of symptomatology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine DJD and eczema dyshidrosis, finding that the evidence did not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's alcohol dependence disorder and its relationship to his service-connected posttraumatic vascular headaches.

The Veteran's petition to reopen her claims for service connection for thoracolumbar and cervical spine disorders is granted. The appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, SSA disability benefits records, and chiropractic treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation and an earlier effective date for service connection were denied.,The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 40 percent, which was already assigned as of March 31, 2004.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment, except for a brief period prior to August 3, 2013 when he was employed. The TDIU claim is granted from August 3, 2013 onwards.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for his lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee, neck, and low back disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or any service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder disorder, cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, left ear hearing loss, headaches, PTSD, and depressive disorder. The decision also remanded the issue of service connection for left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's service connection for multiple sclerosis is granted, while his claims for hypertension and other conditions are denied. The lumbar spine disability remains at a 10% rating.