Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for HPV was dismissed. The rating for tendonitis of the bilateral wrists remains noncompensable. Other claims are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and cervical spine disability are being remanded for further examination and evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for low back and cervical spine disorders, finding that the current conditions are not causally related to service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for psychiatric disability and increased ratings for left and right total knee replacements, left knee instability, and right knee subluxation. The cervical spine and thoracolumbar spine disabilities are remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the issue regarding a low back disorder. The claim for service connection for cervical spine DDD, status post-operative, is denied as there is no evidence that it began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the claims for low back strain, DJD of the cervical spine, and tingling/numbness of the left arm due to service connection issues. The Veteran's medical records need to be updated, and a VA examination is required to determine if there is a causal relationship between his conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to unresolved issues regarding his right foot, lumbar spine, and cervical spine disorders. Other claims are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and her left knee disability has been granted. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for cervical strain with cervical degenerative joint disease is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and right knee tendonitis have been reopened. The VA has remanded these issues for further development.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability, right leg radiculopathy, and sinusitis have also been remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection of a lumbar spine disorder and cervical spine disorder (upper back condition) due to new evidence received since the July 2009 rating decision. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's initial rating for headaches associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI) is granted at a 30 percent level. The issues of service connection for neck disability, low back injury, increased ratings for TBI residuals and headaches, special monthly compensation for erectile dysfunction, and an earlier effective date for tinnitus are all remanded due to the need for additional evidence or examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee joint osteoarthritis, to include as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability, is granted. However, the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disk disease cervical spine, to include as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability, is remanded due to inadequate examination and opinion.,The Board finds that further development is required prior to adjudicating the Veteran’s service connection claim for degenerative disk disease cervical spine. The matter is REMANDED.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed left shoulder and neck disabilities, specifically in relation to their onset during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various disabilities, including left shoulder, right shoulder, left knee, right knee, neck disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder with anxious distress features) have been granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective December 13, 2007. The other issues remain remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, generalized arthritis, bilateral peripheral neuropathy as secondary to cervical spine disorder, and bladder disorder as secondary to lumbar spine disorder due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and remanded the issue of service connection for a neck disability.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's cervical spine disability and multiple nodules throughout body are related to service, including any in-service combat experience. The effective date of service connection will not be changed as the claim was received within one year of separation from service.