Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's cervical spondylosis and right upper extremity radiculopathy have been remanded for further evaluation due to the need for updated VA treatment records, private medical records, and examinations.

The Board denied service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome of the cervical spine with degenerative arthritis, finding that it was not incurred in or related to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the cervical spine, lumbar spine, heart condition, and prostate cancer claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus was at least as likely as not aggravated during active service. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine, back, right hip, left arm (claimed as progressive muscular atrophy), and right arm disabilities. Service connection was granted for migraine headaches.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for right shoulder impingement, chronic low back strain with myofascial pain, and cervical spine degenerative arthritis due to inadequate examinations that did not consider flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence and incomplete information from his former employers.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of TBI, cervical spine disability, or headaches. The issue of dizziness is remanded as no VA examiner has provided an opinion on its etiology.

The Board previously denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to September 20, 2016. The case is being remanded as it needs to be referred to VA’s Director, Compensation Service for initial consideration of whether a TDIU can be granted on an extraschedular basis.

The Board denied service connection for back, neck, left shoulder, right shoulder, left hip, and right hip disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The claims were not reopened as new and material evidence was not provided.

The Veteran's application to reopen claims for cervical spine disability, left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, and psychiatric disorder (to include depression and anxiety) was granted. The claim for stomach cramps is denied. The effective date of service connection for psychiatric disorder (to include depression and anxiety) is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability, diagnosed as horizontal tear of medial meniscus posterior horn with joint effusion, does not meet the criteria for service connection. The issues related to his right elbow contracture, cervical strain, lumbar strain, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for a right foot disability, lumbar spine disability, and cervical spine disability. The decision found that the Veteran's right foot disability was not aggravated during service beyond its natural progression, and there is no evidence of a nexus between his current back and neck disabilities and service.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of a definitive opinion and potential missing records. The Veteran is also required to provide authorization for VA to obtain relevant records from his incarceration.

The Board has determined that additional medical records from the Social Security Administration (SSA) are needed to properly assess the Veteran's claims for service connection. The AOJ must ensure that the examiner’s nexus opinions correspond with the examination report of the joint being addressed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an upper back/neck disability was denied in October 2007 due to lack of diagnosis and in-service event or injury. The Board has now reopened the claim based on new evidence, but remanded for further examination and opinion regarding service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck/cervical spine disability and left hand and arm disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that caused his current conditions. The Board also found insufficient medical opinion to support a secondary service connection claim.

The Veteran's cervical spine strain and lumbar spine strain have been rated based on their specific disabilities, with the highest ratings possible under current VA guidelines. The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective October 28, 2016.,For cervical spine strain prior to September 14, 2016, the Veteran's disability level does not warrant an increased rating as there are no treatment notes supporting higher levels of disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected thoracolumbar disability (claimed as lumbar strain) is remanded due to inadequate examination reports. The issue of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, secondary to the thoracolumbar disability, is also referred back to the RO.

The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome is found to be related to his active military service, and the claim for service connection is granted.