Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The neuritis of the bilateral lower extremities claim was denied as there is no evidence of a disability prior to July 14, 2016. Service connection for cervical spine, headache, and bilateral hand conditions were also denied due to lack of medical evidence supporting their relationship with the Veteran's service-connected low back disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the Veteran not having hearing loss for VA purposes. The claims for service connection of other conditions are remanded as there is insufficient evidence and a need for further examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for degeneration of the cervical intervertebral disc (claimed as neck condition) and granted it, finding that there is competent and probative evidence showing the Veteran's current disability manifested in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings are being remanded due to the failure of VA to contact him at his new address in Georgia. The examinations scheduled for June 2018 have not been conducted, and a copy of the Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) was sent to two prior addresses in South Carolina.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to the need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be causally related to service. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to insufficient evidence in the record, including discrepancies between VA examiner findings and private physician diagnoses. The Veteran will be afforded another examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current heart disability, as well as initial evaluations for his cervical and lumbar spine disabilities and migraine headaches.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, low back disability, and cervical spine disability. The RO denied these claims previously but new evidence has been submitted that relates to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate the claims.

The Veteran's cervical spine, right elbow, left shoulder, right shoulder, left hip, right hip, left knee, and right knee disabilities are all granted as service connected.,The Veteran's tinnitus is also granted as service connected.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing documents and a need to rebuild his claims file. The issues include lumbar, thoracic, cervical, right knee, erectile dysfunction, headaches (claimed as cephalgia), left hand disability, right hand disability, paresthesia of upper extremities, sciatic pain in lower extremities, and an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's appeal for prostate cancer has been dismissed.,The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, cervical spine disability, and right shoulder disability have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence.

The Veteran's discharge from active duty was not due to a service-connected disability, so he is only eligible for Chapter 33 Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits at the 60 percent rate.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to make a fully informed decision on these issues.

The Veteran's appeals seeking service connection for various conditions have been denied. The claims of service connection for a back condition, cervical spine condition, tinnitus, and depression are all denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU. The case is remanded for further development regarding his esophageal adenocarcinoma rating and housebound status.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disorders are being remanded for further evaluation as the evidence is insufficient to determine their etiology.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed lumbar, cervical, left shoulder, right shoulder, and left hip disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for his left and right ankle disabilities, as well as his requests to increase his ratings for his left and right knee disabilities. The appeal regarding service connection for a cervical spine disability was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his cervical spine disability is denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating based on the criteria set forth in VA’s Schedule for Rating Disabilities.