Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a cervical spine disability and associated neurological involvement was granted effective June 1, 2005, the day after his separation from service.

The Veteran's low back and cervical spine conditions are rated at the maximum available under the applicable diagnostic codes, and a higher rating is not warranted. The CAD condition has also been appropriately rated.

The Veteran's lumbar spine, cervical spine, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and bilateral ankle disabilities are all granted service connection.,Service connection is also granted for the Veteran's right wrist disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and major depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including left ankle disorder, cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, headaches, and radiculopathy of upper and lower extremities. The Veteran was not provided with a VA examination for these conditions and additional evidence is needed.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition is granted service connection and rated at 10%.,Service-connected back disability was initially granted a 20% rating, which has been increased to 30% after March 25, 2017. The current rating of 20% remains unchanged prior to that date.,The Veteran's left hip disability is rated at 10%. No higher rating is warranted based on the evidence provided.,The Veteran's left foot disability is currently rated at 20%, and no higher rating is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine spondylosis and degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine have been denied as there is no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and active service.,The VA examinations did not find any link between the Veteran’s current conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc and joint disease of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spines, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to an in-service jump from a helicopter during combat.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, other than PTSD, and remanded the case for further development regarding a cervical neck disability.

The Board has granted the reopening of the claim for service connection for lumbar spine disability. The claims for left ankle, left knee, recurrent chest pain, bilateral shoulder, neck, and bilateral hip disabilities are denied as there is no evidence showing a current disability or that any such disabilities are related to service. Service connection for allergic rhinitis, sinus bradycardia, stomach disability, facial cellulitis, scalp dermatitis, headache, and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy is also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for back and neck disabilities due to insufficient opinions from previous VA examiners. The Veteran's contentions regarding continuous symptoms since service need to be addressed in a new opinion.

The Board has decided that there is not enough evidence to grant service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine disability, and therefore remanded the case for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a cervical spine disability, and tinnitus. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of cervical disabilities, including as secondary to his lumbar spine disability, and for cervical neuropathy of the upper extremities are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for DDD of the cervical spine was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The Board found that the submitted medical records were not new and material as they did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood, is granted as secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, updated medical records, and opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disability, finding that the Veteran's current neck disability is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and cervical spine disability have been granted service connection. The Veteran's sleep apnea and TIAs are currently being remanded for further review.,Service connection has been established for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and now his sleep apnea is under consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee and cervical spine disabilities are being remanded for additional examinations to determine their current severity.