Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for cervical spondylosis and degenerative disc disease of the cervical and lumbar spine, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and service.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD, but denied the claims for throat condition, TBI, neck disability, tinnitus, and headaches.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a cervical spine condition was denied, and the issue of entitlement to an increased rating for degenerative disc and joint disease for the thoracolumbar spine is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, bilateral knee, and right shoulder disabilities as well as an acquired psychiatric disability (neurocognitive disorder) due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for arthritis of the upper extremities, cervical spine, lumbar spine, bilateral cataracts, and a skin condition other than sebaceous cysts are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 10 percent, effective from October 24, 2018. The Board denied a higher rating for this condition.

Tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Traumatic brain injury is denied as not service-connected.,Right knee disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent is remanded for further examination and opinion.,Left knee disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent is remanded for further examination and opinion.,Right shoulder condition is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding etiology.,Left elbow condition is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding etiology.,Bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding etiology.,Cervical spine condition is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding etiology.,Obstructive sleep apnea is granted as service-connected.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for chronic joint pain, a disability of the spine (including lumbar and cervical spine), left knee disability, right knee disability, and residuals of pneumonia. The decision is based on the need to obtain Social Security Administration records.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than February 29, 1996 for the grant of service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an earlier effective date.

The Board has remanded the claims of whether new and material evidence was submitted to reopen service connection for various disabilities, including back disability, neck disability, hearing loss, internal bleeding, acid reflux, and ingrown toenails. The Veteran needs to clarify his period of service with the Oklahoma Army National Guard.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a lack of Social Security Administration records and for a new examination regarding his migraine headaches.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to October 19, 2015 is being remanded due to the need for additional development and clarification of his unemployability status.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine conditions, as well as headaches and an acquired psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to the need for further development. The claim for diabetes mellitus is also being remanded due to a potential change in law.

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted. The claims for service connection for myositis, cervical strain (neck disability), spinal stenosis, left knee degenerative arthritis, right knee degenerative arthritis, sinusitis, COPD, edema, GERD, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and nerve disability, an acquired psychiatric disability, and bronchitis have all been denied.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his cervical spine disability, TBI residuals (claimed as memory loss), and migraine headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's spondylolisthesis of the cervical spine is rated at 20 percent, and his tension headaches are not compensably rated. The Board found that neither condition warranted a higher rating.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection and effective dates for various disabilities, including neck disability, change in color in the hands, headaches, weakness in the arm and numbness in the fingers, penetrating muscle injury, left chest, painful surgical scar, left chest, surgical scar, left chest, peripheral neuropathy, chest wall, rib fractures, status-post thoracotomy, hypertension. The issues include seeking initial ratings for certain disabilities and obtaining effective dates for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the current severity of his cervical spine disabilities, sleep apnea, and other conditions.,The Veteran is also seeking a TDIU rating based on his multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the dates of active duty and National Guard service need to be clarified before further adjudication can occur. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical strain and segmental instability to include back injury, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his military service.