Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is granted as service connected. The cervical spine, bilateral foot, tinnitus, and thoracolumbar strain issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for a cervical spine disability due to incomplete military personnel records and need for further development, including verification of duty status during active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities due to inadequate examination findings. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as part of this process.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence received since his last VA examination, and because some issues have not been addressed in detail.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for cervical spine disorder and GERD was granted. The Veteran received a 10 percent increase in the rating for cervical spine disorder prior to July 24, 2017, and a 20 percent increase thereafter. The Veteran’s GERD was also rated at 20 percent.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, and migraine headache. The cervical spine disability was not found to be related to service due to lack of evidence in the service treatment records. Bilateral hearing loss did not meet VA compensation standards as there were no audiometric results showing hearing loss for VA purposes. Migraine headaches were determined to be unrelated to service or service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability was not found to have started during service and is not related to any in-service injury or disease. His bilateral hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a current disability under VA regulations, as there were no audiometric results showing hearing loss for VA purposes. Migraine headaches were determined to be unrelated to service due to lack of evidence in the service treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right shoulder disabilities, as well as a neck/cervical spine disability. The reasons include insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between current disabilities and service, and the need for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities due to a lack of recent VA treatment records from July 2015 to the present. The Veteran is asked to provide any necessary authorization for these records, which may include further information about his symptoms and diagnoses.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claims for a cervical spine disability, diabetes mellitus, type II, and erectile dysfunction due to new evidence received since the final rating decision. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities, as well as granted the Veteran's claims for left shoulder disability, right foot disorder, blurred vision, respiratory condition, and dermatitis. The remaining issues are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand several claims for further development due to incomplete service treatment records and untranslated Spanish documents. The Veteran's lumbar spine, cervical spine, left ankle, bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety and depressive disorders), right knee meniscal tear, and hypertension claims are being returned for additional examination and review.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding service connection claims for thoracolumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities. The residuals of fracture of the left 4th metacarpal evaluation remains denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), obstructive sleep apnea, and migraine headaches due to new evidence. The cervical spine disability is granted with service connection based on direct evidence.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities due to insufficient examination opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for osteoporosis of the cervical spine and degenerative changes of the cervical spine, including as secondary to his service-connected impingement syndrome and multiple degenerative changes of the right shoulder and lumbar spine disorder, are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports and failure to provide a notice letter.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical spine disorder, low back disorder, left shin disorder, right shin disorder, and right thigh disorder due to inadequate VA examination reports. The Veteran is required to undergo new VA examinations and provide additional treatment records.

The Veteran's mild spinal stenosis and degenerative changes of the cervical spine are being remanded for further evaluation due to inconsistencies in medical records and need for an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, back, bilateral knee, and bilateral hand disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The VA will determine if these conditions are related to her hepatitis C or aggravated by it.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for gastrointestinal disabilities, prostate disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, heart condition, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, osteopenia, cervical spine disability, neurological impairment of the upper extremities, shoulder, hip, knee, ankle, and foot disabilities are being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer is being remanded as his prostatitis may be related to his current prostate disability. Additional development is needed regarding whether he has any residual disability from the prostatitis shown in service.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain, chronic gastritis with GERD, and hemorrhoids are being remanded as his most recent examinations in August 2017 were inadequate. Additional development is needed to determine the current functional impairment resulting from these disabilities.,

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical strain due to new evidence submitted since the final rating decision. However, a remand is required as additional development is needed before the underlying merits of the claim can be adjudicated.