Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder was not incurred in service and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service. The Board denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was previously rated at 20 percent, and the Board has restored this rating. A higher rating of 30 percent is denied.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for several service-connected conditions are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations and treatment records.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of left knee and left foot disabilities have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal. The cervical spine disability, headaches (including as a residual of TBI), and PTSD claims are being remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, but has remanded them for further development and examination.

The Veteran's low back strain and cervical spine fusion are not rated higher than the current levels.,The Veteran did not meet criteria for a temporary total rating or SMC based on housebound status.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition is related to an in-service injury, and service connection for this condition is granted. The Veteran's right knee condition requires further examination due to a significant gap in time since the last VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including COPD, neck disability, and back disability, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has remanded the case for referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of current hearing impairment meeting VA criteria.,The Veteran's TBI was evaluated at a 40 percent rating, with an additional 100 percent evaluation for PTSD. The headaches were separately rated at 50 percent effective August 16, 2016.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder and knee disorders, but denied all other service connection claims due to lack of evidence linking current disabilities to service or Gulf War exposure.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed because he died during the pendency of his appeals for service connection for various disorders.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for his cervical spine disability was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection of cervical and lumbar spine disabilities due to insufficient evidence. The VA will need to verify the Veteran's National Guard service, specifically in January 1991, and schedule a VA examination to determine if his current diagnoses are related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination. The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, but his bilateral hearing loss disability and cervical spine disability are not.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and development to address the severity of her service-connected disabilities, including low back pain, cervical spine disorder, left pubic ramus fracture, right tibia stress fracture, and right ankle disability. The Board will also consider whether she meets the criteria for a TDIU prior to March 1, 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical and thoracic spine disabilities, finding that the current conditions are related to a fall in 1979 during active duty.

The Board denied service connection for right leg hematoma, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder and kidney stones are being remanded for further evaluation as the low threshold for obtaining an examination has been met.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's claims for a headache disorder, eye disorder, schizoid personality disorder, low back disorder, arthritis of the left foot, arthritis of the right foot, and cervical disorder have been denied as new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen these claims.,The Veteran's claims for a headache disorder, eye disorder, schizoid personality disorder, low back disorder, arthritis of the left foot, arthritis of the right foot, and cervical disorder have been denied as new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen these claims.,The Veteran's claims for a headache disorder, eye disorder, schizoid personality disorder, low back disorder, arthritis of the left foot, arthritis of the right foot, and cervical disorder have been denied as new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen these claims.,The Veteran's claims for a headache disorder, eye disorder, schizoid personality disorder, low back disorder, arthritis of the left foot, arthritis of the right foot, and cervical disorder have been denied as new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen these claims.,The Veteran's claims for a headache disorder, eye disorder, schizoid personality disorder, low back disorder, arthritis of the left foot, arthritis of the right foot, and cervical disorder have been denied as new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen these claims.,The Veteran's claims for a headache disorder, eye disorder, schizoid personality disorder, low back disorder, arthritis of the left foot, arthritis of the right foot, and cervical disorder have been denied as new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen these claims.,The Veteran's claims for a headache disorder, eye disorder, schizoid personality disorder, low back disorder, arthritis of the left foot, arthritis of the right foot, and cervical disorder have been denied as new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen these claims.