Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Board has decided that the Veteran's cervical strain with stenosis and degenerative arthritis is related to his service-connected right shoulder condition, but needs further clarification due to a lack of adequate rationale in the previous medical opinion.

The Board has remanded several claims for service connection due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, valvular heart disease, cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as upper extremity radiculopathies are being remanded due to the need for new examinations. The TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his cervical spine disability, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, and headaches. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the claim for service connection for cervical osteoarthritis with stenosis.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for right elbow and left shoulder conditions, as well as his service connection claims for cervical spine, low back, and right lower extremity radiculopathy/peroneal neuropathy are all remanded due to insufficient examination reports.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims for higher ratings on neck disability, right knee disorder, PTSD, sinusitis, and hypertension are in need of further development due to the possibility of worsening since his last VA examinations. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is intertwined with these rating claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for his service-connected surgical neck scar and painful right posterior neck scar, finding that there was no evidence of an increase in severity prior to September 16, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for obtaining additional VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records, as well as notifying the Veteran of the factors pertinent to establishing entitlement to a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to new evidence received since a previous final decision. The Veteran is seeking service connection for cervical spine disability, bilateral shoulder disability, and nerve damage to the arms.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for her cervical spine disability was denied. The VA determined that the disability manifested with pain and limitation of motion, but without ankylosis or analogous restriction of motion throughout the period on appeal.

All service connection claims for various conditions have been dismissed.,The Veteran's tension headaches are granted as secondary to his service-connected orthopedic injuries and PTSD.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, neck, low back, and left hip disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing a relationship between these conditions and his active military service.,There is no medical evidence or lay testimony indicating that any of the Veteran’s current disabilities are related to his time in service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals of cervical fracture and fusion is denied as his disability does not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 20 percent.

The Veteran's cervical myelopathy is remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if it is related to service or secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records from a correctional facility and scheduling another VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it requires additional information from the Veteran.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbosacral strain conditions are found to be related to service, leading to a grant of service connection for both.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to inadequate examinations and missing service treatment records. The Veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder, lumbar spine disability, and cervical spine disability. A new examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.