Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the onset and continuity of the claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for cervical spine, left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to incomplete development and lack of a nexus opinion regarding secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine fracture and fractured ribs, finding that additional medical opinions are needed to address the etiology of these conditions in relation to his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical strain was reopened due to new and material evidence. The issue of whether the current neck disability is related to an in-service injury, event, or disease will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervicalgia with bulging disc and DDD, as well as scoliosis, DDD and DJD with arthritic changes prior to June 12, 2015 were denied. The criteria for these conditions have not been met.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, polyarthralgia (cervical spine), and polyarthralgia (thoracolumbar spine) based on new evidence received since the last final rating decision. The claim for respiratory disability is also remanded.

The Board has determined that new and relevant service treatment records have been submitted, necessitating a de novo review of the claims for service connection. A VA examination is required to determine if any diagnosed disabilities are related to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder, neck, and bilateral foot disabilities did not occur or are not related to service.,For his left knee disability, there is no evidence of a current disability in service records.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection for various conditions related to PTSD and herbicide exposure. The Board has remanded these issues due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran is seeking TDIU, but this claim is dismissed as moot since he already receives a 100% disability rating for his PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions were denied due to lack of current diagnoses or established links to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral ankle condition and whether to reopen his claim of service connection for a lumbar spine condition is being remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot condition (plantar fasciitis) and cervical spine condition (claimed as C3 and C4 disc herniation with mild central stenosis) is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his neck disability is dismissed as he withdrew the claim prior to a decision.,Service connection has been granted for TMJ, with the condition found to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete development, including obtaining VA treatment records, non-VA mental health treatment records, lay statements, and income verification. The Veteran is also advised that he should provide a current address if available.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient examination reports and potential need for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed cervical spondylosis with degenerative changes and thoracic kyphosis with disc disease had their onset in active service, and thus granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board dismissed the appeals for initial rating and service connection claims due to the appellant's death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence and to obtain additional medical records. The issues include cervical spine disorder, back disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, left carpal tunnel syndrome, and right carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of right ankle sprain, left elbow disability (olecranon spurs), cervical spine disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The cases are all remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for cervical spine disorder, heart murmur, and secondary polycythemia have been reopened. Service connection has been granted for secondary polycythemia.,Service connection is denied for cervical spine disorder, heart murmur, and wrist osteoarthritis (secondary to carpal tunnel syndrome).

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.,Service connection for cervical spine condition, lower back condition, pes planus, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are all denied due to lack of current diagnoses or causal relationship to service.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, depression, anxiety, and somatoform disorder) is remanded for further development.