Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been submitted. The Veteran's left shoulder, cervical spine, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral foot disabilities are all being reviewed again as they may be related to his military service.

The Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as associated radiculopathies of the sciatic and femoral nerves, are not rated higher than 10 percent prior to May 22, 2014. The issues related to these conditions have been remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and cervical spine, finding that these conditions are related to injuries sustained during active service.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was granted service connection as aggravated by service. The right and left shoulder disabilities were denied, and the Veteran's cervical strain and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with muscle spasm are currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen his service connection claims for left shoulder injury, neck disability, and back disability due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's cervical spondylosis is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding its relationship to his military occupation as a welder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and Social Security Administration records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeals for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, heart disorder, neck disability, back disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to procedural issues and the need for further development of his service records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar stenosis with DDD and degenerative changes to cervical spine, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's current cervical spine condition is related to service, including his in-service injuries and assault.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities related to his shoulders, cervical spine, and knee have not been rated appropriately. The Board has ordered remand for further examinations to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are not related to service or a service-connected disability.,The Veteran's back and neck disabilities have also been remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain and cervical disc disease, as well as his claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for MDD. The appeals are being returned to VA for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability and lower back disability due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection.

Service connection is granted for low back and cervical spine conditions.,A 10 percent rating is granted for hypertension.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding all listed conditions, effectively dismissing the cases.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disorder, left knee disorder, cervical spine disorder, and a psychiatric disorder (depression) due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran is to be provided with new VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability, including spinal stenosis, and related secondary disabilities (low back disability, myoclonus of the neck and shoulders, atrophy of the hands, urinary incontinence) are not service-connected. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (PTSD and cervical spine disability) render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.