Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, right shoulder impairment, and bilateral knee condition. The Veteran's claims were not supported by competent evidence linking his current conditions to military service.,There is no medical evidence or credible lay statements indicating that the Veteran's current spinal disorders or right shoulder impairment are related to his time in the military.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right hallux valgus, finding that it is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected left foot disability. The case is remanded for further examination and rating considerations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for protein in urine, hyperlipidemia, frostbite of the left hand, left foot, and right foot have been dismissed. The claim for service connection for hyperlipidemia has been denied as it is not a disability for which VA compensation benefits are payable.,Service connection for frostbite of the right hand was denied. Service connection for left knee disorder, cervical disorder, liver disorder, albumin (as secondary to liver disorder), hypertension, Lyme disease, and gout were all remanded.

The Veteran's application to reopen his service connection claim for a cervical spine disability was denied. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand disabilities due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to missing records from the Moncrief Army Medical Center. Additionally, an SOC is needed on issues of increased ratings for knee conditions, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and service connection for hammertoes, sleep apnea, toe fungus, sinusitis, rhinitis, hearing loss, tinnitus, fibromyalgia, cervical spine disability, left shoulder disability, left forearm disability, right shoulder disability, and right forearm disability.

The Veteran's bilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome of the knees is granted as service connected. The low back and neck disabilities are remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee condition, right knee condition, and obstructive sleep apnea due to new evidence received since previous decisions. The lumbar spine and cervical spine conditions remain under review.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to address whether it is related to his service, specifically the nonallopathic lesions documented during service beginning in November 2005.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for all issues on appeal due to the Veteran's testimony and submitted evidence. The claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's multiple disabilities are being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding their etiology, as the current evidence is insufficient to determine if they are related to her exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, treatment records review, and consideration of all evidence.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates prior to February 27, 2013, for lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities are denied.,The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates prior to February 27, 2013, for right knee disability are denied.,Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss.,Service connection is granted for left knee disability.,COPD service connection and psychiatric disorder service connection are remanded for further development.,Right knee, lumbar spine, and cervical spine disabilities' increased ratings are remanded for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, tinnitus, and initial rating for degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine have been granted. The remaining issues are remanded.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is rated at 60 percent since April 24, 2018. His thoracolumbar spine disorder is rated at 40 percent since December 9, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and a lumbar spine disability due to insufficient development and consideration.

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

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and chest pain with breathing problems due to outstanding VA and private treatment records needing to be updated. Additionally, a new examination is required to clarify whether the Veteran currently suffers from a chest-related diagnosis and to determine if his back disabilities are related to service or aggravated by his left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on multiple service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical strain and right knee strain, as well as his TDIU claim due to inadequate VA examinations conducted in December 2011. The Veteran will need new VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination reports and a need for additional evidence. The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his cervical spine disability, but the VA examinations provided were not adequate in addressing functional loss.