Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions and missing treatment records. The Veteran's right hand disability is being reviewed for service connection.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings. The Veteran will be provided with a VA examination to assess his cervical spine, lumbar spine, and chest pain disabilities, as well as an examination of his left wrist disability.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for status post hairline fracture of the left medial patella and a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus have been dismissed.,The Veteran's applications to reopen his claims for service connection for right knee, right hip, left hip, and acquired psychiatric disabilities are granted. The claims for nerve condition, left wrist disability, right wrist disability, arthritis, lumbar spine disability, and cervical spine disability remain pending.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed to address the etiology of the Veteran's cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities, as well as whether they are related to service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating as they are inextricably intertwined with the issues of entitlement to an extraschedular rating for his right ankle disability.,The Veteran is being asked to undergo additional examinations to determine the severity of his cervical spine, bilateral knee, forearm, and thigh disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his cervical spine disability is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded several claims due to the need for additional VA treatment records and examinations. The Veteran's disabilities have reportedly worsened since his last examination in June 2015.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine, thoracic spine, and cardiac disabilities are not service-connected as they were not incurred or aggravated during his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's service connection claims, particularly concerning her Air National Guard and Reserve service periods.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that his pre-existing condition did not worsen during active duty and was a natural progression of his condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder disability, neck disability, and traumatic brain injury are denied. The claim for service connection for bilateral hip disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability but has remanded the issue of service connection for a back disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, right eye, bilateral shoulder, and bilateral arm disorders due to incomplete records from the Veteran's Army Reserve service. The case is also remanded to determine if VA examinations are needed for these conditions.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection of erectile dysfunction. The claim for right lower extremity radiculopathy is denied, and the claim for cervical spine strain as secondary to degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for left ankle disability, cervical spine disability, right shoulder disability, and left shoulder disability. The claim for acquired psychiatric disorder is also remanded.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability was denied in an August 2014 rating decision due to lack of new and material evidence. A remand is necessary as the Board needs to determine if there is a nexus between the service-connected disabilities and the cervical spine disability.,The right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities are also remanded, with the same reasoning as for the cervical spine disability.,The acquired psychiatric disorder claim is also remanded due to lack of new and material evidence. A remand is necessary to determine if there is a nexus between the service-connected disabilities and the psychiatric disorder.,A rating in excess of 20 percent for thoracic strain is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's ED. The issues include seeking an increased rating for a back disability, service connection for neck disability, chronic otitis externa, mumps, and ED, as well as TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, all other conditions, and effective dates. The Veteran's claims were not granted.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral foot condition and back conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional development, including verification of in-service stressors.

The rating reduction from 20 percent to 10 percent for cervical spine strain with degenerative arthritis status post C2 fracture was improper, and the 20 percent rating is restored.,Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected a fracture of the right radial styloid is denied.,Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected hypertensive heart disease with left ventricular dysfunction and an ejection fraction greater than 50 percent but less than 7 METs resulting in relevant symptomatology is denied.,Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for service-connected anxiety is denied.,Entitlement to a compensable disability rating for service-connected right wrist scar is denied.