Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case for a retrospective opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's cervical spine disability from December 31, 1991 to June 16, 2004. The effective date and rating assignment remain pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back and cervical spine disabilities, as well as evaluations for retropatellar pain syndrome of both knees. The Veteran's claim is being reviewed to determine if there is new evidence that could reopen her case, and an additional examination will be conducted to assess the nature and severity of her current conditions.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left shoulder, left wrist, cervical spine, and low back disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's complaints have been noted since service, but a definitive opinion is needed.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for PTSD and service connection for various spine conditions, as well as secondary service connection for radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities. The claims are being remanded to allow for further development.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and an increased rating for cervical spine disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date than March 1, 2016 for CRDP payments is denied because he did not have a combined disability rating of at least 50 percent until after February 25, 2016.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical/lumbar spine disability and granted service connection for pes planus of the left foot, both related to the Veteran's right foot pes planus.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disorders, as well as tension headaches and shoulder disorders secondary to a cervical spine disorder. The evidence did not show any in-service injury or illness that caused these conditions.,There is no indication of arthritis or other chronic diseases within one year post-service, making the presumption of service connection unavailable.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing service records, particularly those related to Active Duty Training and Inactive Duty Training.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The appeal was also remanded for further action on several issues.

Service connection has been granted for residuals of frostbite of the left and right lower extremities. The Veteran's cervical dystonia and GERD claims are being returned for further development.,The Veteran's cervical dystonia claim is being returned for a new medical opinion due to inadequate reasoning in the previous VA examination. His GERD claim is also being returned for an examination as there was no full evaluation of his condition.,Service connection for residuals of frostbite of the upper extremities and peripheral neuropathy are being returned for further development, including examinations to assess these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical osteoarthritis, left hand degenerative disease and radiculopathy, and right hand degenerative disease and radiculopathy. The Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a cervical spine disability and respiratory disability (asthma), finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected left shoulder, cervical, and lumbosacral strain due to outstanding VA treatment records and additional examinations.

The Veteran's migraine headaches were rated as noncompensable prior to July 24, 2014. From that date onwards, a rating of 50 percent was granted.,PTSD was initially rated at 70 percent from the effective date of October 23, 2013.,Right shoulder degenerative joint disease received an initial 20 percent rating based on painful motion.,Sleep apnea and tinnitus were both denied for increased ratings as they are already at their maximum schedular ratings.,Loss of cervical lordosis was granted service connection effective October 23, 2013.,TDIU is pending due to the Veteran's multiple service-connected disabilities.,The appeal for TBI and recurrent lumbar strain remains unresolved (remanded).,No specific exposure basis or presumption was mentioned in this decision.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome and chronic low back pain, but remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.,A VA examination is required to clarify the diagnosis of the Veteran’s low back condition, and an addendum opinion is needed to address whether his intravertebral disc syndrome is related to service.

The Board has denied service connection for back, neck, left hip, right hip, sleep disorder, and anxiety and depression disabilities as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is related to service and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and radiculopathy of the upper extremities have not met the criteria for higher ratings, with some issues remanded for further evaluation.