Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that remand is necessary for proper development of the issues, including obtaining service treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's service connection claims for sarcoidosis, cervical spine disorder, and various other conditions have been reopened. The Board finds that the evidence supports a link between these conditions and the Veteran's active service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to insufficient evidence and potential inextricably intertwined issues.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability is found to have caused or aggravated his bowel/bladder disability, and he is granted a TDIU from July 11, 2013. The cervical spine and lumbar spine claims are remanded for additional examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a cervical spine disorder, which he claims is related to an in-service motor vehicle accident or secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The VA examiner found the cervical spine disorder less likely than not related to service and did not address the theory of secondary service connection. The Board finds this opinion inadequate and remands for an addendum opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity should be remanded for further development as there are conflicting medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for chronic cervical sprain, cervicogenic headaches, lumbar sprain with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), right lower leg sciatic radulopathy, and PTSD were denied earlier than the dates they were received.,An effective date earlier than August 25, 2008, was not granted for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's left knee condition is rated as 10 percent disabling, and his cervical spine condition is rated as 10 percent disabling. Both conditions are remanded for further review.,Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee and obstructive sleep apnea is also remanded.

The Board granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and granted increased ratings for residuals of a fracture to the right olecranon, impairment of supination and/or pronation of the right forearm, L1 compression fracture with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, left lower extremity radiculopathy of sciatic nerve, and right lower extremity radiculopathy of sciatic nerve. The Board also remanded for further development on service connection for dental or mouth injuries due to trauma.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of cervical spine disability, back disability, and scoliosis were dismissed as he only appealed his claim for an increased rating for his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disability, unsteady gait, and abnormalities in mood and affect (unspecified depressive disorder) due to TBI or as secondary to his service-connected headaches disability. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's headaches are found to be related to his service-connected cervical spine disability, and he is granted service connection for this secondary condition. The rating for the cervical spine disability remains at 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative joint disease (DJD) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine DJD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for arthritis of the left elbow, right elbow, left thumb, right thumb, cervical spine, and lumbar spine as well as seasonal allergic rhinitis due to potential CBRNE exposure during service. The Veteran will be provided with VA examinations to evaluate his claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in a previous VA examiner's opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist. The Veteran's cervical spine condition is still pending.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and likely etiology of the Veteran's claimed neck disability, which may be related to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated examinations and assess the severity of his gunshot wound residuals, including a scar on his neck, as well as any other identified disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is service-connected due to his military service as a paratrooper, and the opinion of Dr. Sandhu supports this determination.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent prior to January 25, 2017, and denied for a higher rating. From January 25, 2017, the disability remains rated at 40 percent.