Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded three issues for further development: headaches, lumbar spine disability, and bilateral shoulder pain (including cervical spine condition with radiating pain to the shoulders). The Veteran's service connection claims are being reviewed due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for cervical spondylosis was denied, with the Board finding that his forward flexion of the cervical spine did not meet the criteria for an increased rating.,The Veteran's PTSD claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence addressing all potential stressors and other acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's service connection claim for left ear hearing loss is granted, while claims for right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), heart disorder, osteopenia, cervical spine (neck) disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability are denied. The Veteran's service connection claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received since a VA medical opinion was obtained, and further development is needed.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to the need for further examination considering the Veteran's in-service paratrooper duties.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spondylosis with right cervical muscle spasm and congenital cervical stenosis and thoracic strain due to inadequate rationale provided by VA examiners.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, neck disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted in part. Service connection has been established for left shoulder condition, cervical spine condition (claimed as cervical spondylosis and stenosis), lumbar spinal stenosis, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, peripheral vestibular disorder, dizziness, obstructive sleep apnea, cardiovascular disease, headache condition, left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, and service connection has been reopened for alcoholism and drug abuse. Other claims have been denied.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative arthritis was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and the Board denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has decided that a cervical spine disability is secondary to service-connected degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder and remanded for further development.

The Board has ordered new VA examinations for the Veteran's cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and headache disability due to their worsening in severity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude her from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and thus denied her claim for a TDIU.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and depression have been granted service connection.,However, the Veteran's claim for a psychiatric disorder (depression) is remanded due to incomplete medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea, degenerative disc disease in the cervical spine, mild degenerative changes of the lumbar spine, left foot disorder, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, and right leg disorder have all been denied. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and service.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various disabilities, including right foot disability, cluster headaches, and bilateral hearing loss, were also denied.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for cervical strain and convergence and accommodative insufficiency are inadequate, and thus remanded these issues to provide further examination.

The Board denied service connection for left knee, right knee, and cervical spine disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or disease that resulted in current disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that there was no evidence of chronic disease in service or within the applicable presumptive period. The Board also found that the current cervical spine disability is not secondary to any service-connected condition.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's cervical degenerative disc disease with spondylolisthesis, stenosis, and myelomalacia may be related to his military service. However, due to insufficient evidence, the case is being sent back for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating and the propriety of a reduction in his cervical spine disability rating is being remanded due to inadequate examinations and issues regarding flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions from the Veteran's chiropractor and rehabilitation counselor, requiring additional development including a VA examination.