Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to work.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder and left knee disorder were not shown until years after service, and the Board found no evidence of a link to service. The lumbar spine disorder is remanded for further review.,The Veteran's bilateral leg condition and obstructive sleep apnea are also remanded for further review.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for a neck disability and an increased rating for PTSD due to insufficient medical evidence on file. The Veteran needs to undergo additional examinations to determine the current severity of her disabilities and their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine condition was denied as new and material evidence had not been received. The Board found that the provided evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.,The Veteran's claims for service connection of low back disability, left knee disability, and heart condition (CAD) were reopened due to receipt of new and material evidence. However, the claims for heart condition (CAD) and right knee disability remain denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, has been granted. The issue of service connection for a cervical spine disability is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for cervical spine DJD and thoracolumbar spine DDD as they have not been evaluated in over five years, and additional development is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for low back, cervical spine, right shoulder, right arm, and right-hand disabilities. The claim for a right leg disability is also granted. Service connection was denied for a rib cage disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar and thoracic degenerative disease, lower radicular group neuritis (right upper extremity), cervical degenerative disc disease with stenosis, and sciatic neuralgia (right lower extremity), are deemed to be severe enough to prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. However, the VA examinations were found inadequate due to lack of assessment on the effects of his medications.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to effective dates for service connection and increased ratings. The Board has determined that these matters are inextricably intertwined with the proposed changes in effective dates outlined in a previous rating decision, and thus cannot be decided at this time.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is not related to her active service and did not manifest during or within one year of active service.,The criteria for entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected left wrist tendonitis have not been met.,The criteria for entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for right wrist tendonitis have not been met.,The criteria for entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine have not been met.

The Board has decided that new VA examinations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's neck, shoulder, back, and hip disabilities. The claims for service connection will be remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for headaches and a higher disability rating for cervical myositis.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's current conditions were not shown to be related to his military service.,Service connection was also denied for intractable plantar keratoma of the right foot and left foot.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to missing service treatment records from November 1978 to February 1979.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no current diagnosis of a disability related to his active duty service. The evidence did not establish an in-service injury or disease, and the disabilities found are not shown to be causally related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to missing records and to clarify whether the Veteran served in Southwest Asia. The issues of reopening the cervical spasm and back condition claims are deferred until all missing records have been obtained.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for joint pain, cervical spine condition, lumbar spine condition, right and left shoulder conditions, right and left elbow conditions, and bilateral knee conditions due to incomplete examinations. The Veteran's claim for residuals of a shrapnel wound is also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for restoration of a 20% disability rating for cervical spine disability from October 13, 2017 is denied. The Veteran also appealed for higher ratings and TDIU but these appeals are also denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck disability, left ankle disability, left knee disability, left wrist disability, allergic rhinitis, and eustachian tube dysfunction.

Service connection is granted for left shoulder arthritis and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine.,Service connection is denied for a respiratory disability, and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent is denied for myopia gland dysfunction of the bilateral eyes.