Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions were denied as there was no evidence showing a nexus between his active service and the claimed disabilities, except for bilateral toenail removal which is not considered etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance for the 2015 calendar year is being remanded due to incomplete information regarding the type of brace he received and its impact on his clothing.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine strain and degenerative changes, as well as thoracic spine arthritis, finding that the evidence did not support a causal relationship to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings were dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is now rated at 30 percent effective September 5, 2013. His lumbar spine disability was initially rated at 10 percent from November 26, 2014 and increased to 20 percent since June 13, 2018.

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for herniated disc; cervical spine, with degenerative disc disorder is granted. The Board finds that there is new and material evidence to support reopening of this claim. However, the claim remains remanded as further development is needed regarding both conditions.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded the issue of an initial compensable rating for cervical dysplasia with bacterial vaginosis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome right wrist, claimed as peripheral neuropathy right upper extremity; carpal tunnel syndrome left wrist, claimed as peripheral neuropathy left upper extremity; and traumatic brain injury are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions from previous VA examiners and requests for additional evidence. The Veteran's cervical spine disability is being evaluated for direct service connection, aggravation by a service-connected condition, or as new and material evidence.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, cervical spine disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorder, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, muscle spasms, sleep apnea, and hypertension.,No new evidence was presented to reopen previously denied claims.

The Veteran's combined tension/migraine headaches are currently rated at 50 percent, effective March 13, 2006. The Board has granted a higher rating for this condition.,The Veteran is entitled to a temporary total evaluation following her right first great toe cheilectomy due to the need for convalescence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims to reopen for service connection of migraine headaches, cervical spine disability, right shoulder disability, and obstructive sleep apnea. The claims are remanded for further examination regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability had its onset in service and is at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability is granted.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is found to be at least as likely as not due to an in-service motor vehicle accident, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a cervical spine disability have been granted. The acquired psychiatric disorder is diagnosed as other specified trauma and stressor related disorder, claimed as PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's neck, right knee, and right eye disabilities, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea may be related to his service-connected conditions, and a new examination is needed to determine its exact cause.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck (cervical spine) condition and an initial compensable rating for his left knee disability.,The evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran’s current cervical spine or left knee conditions were related to his military service.

The Veteran's right shoulder acromioclavicular arthrosis, with bursal surface fraying, cervical spine mass, and obstructive sleep apnea have been granted service connection.,Left knee disability, right knee disability (including popliteal cyst), thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right hip fracture residuals, left foot hallux valgus, and primary insomnia are all remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional information and evidence.,Service connection is being considered for various conditions, including a right ankle strain, bilateral hearing loss, obesity, syrinx of thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine disability (including syrinx), hypertension, and left arm numbness.