Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability and denied an earlier effective date for the grant of a 40 percent rating for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's cervical spine disability was not incurred in service, and his claim for increased rating for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine is granted with an effective date of September 17, 2005.

The Veteran's neck disability is being remanded for further development.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability claim, including the issue of an earlier effective date, and his TDIU claim are also being remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and opinions regarding his hypertension, skin condition, cervical spine disability, thoracic spine disability, right upper extremity radicular pain, pes planus, plantar fasciitis, and PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for urethritis was denied. The rating for IVDS from August 15, 2007 to November 26, 2014 was granted at a 40 percent level. Other issues such as coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), erectile dysfunction, and SMC benefits were remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his hip, knee, and cervical spine disabilities.

Service connection for lumbar spine disability and left knee disability is granted as new and material evidence has been received.,Service connection for left shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and sleep apnea are denied. Service connection for acquired psychiatric disability is granted.,A rating more than 20 percent for a right shoulder disability is denied, as well as a rating more than 10 percent for right knee disability and tinnitus. A compensable rating for hemorrhoids is denied, and a rating more than 30 percent for herpes is denied.,TDIU is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability and a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities were not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to assess the current level of severity of the Veteran's service-connected neck disability due to inadequate previous examinations.

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for cervical spine disability is granted. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received, allowing the issue to be reopened.

The Board has determined that there are outstanding records and the VA examination is inadequate. The Veteran's claims for defective hearing, low back disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as alcoholism and drug abuse), neck disability, and bilateral hip disability are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the Veteran's service connection claims.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The Board has also remanded the issues of systemic joint, thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine, bilateral knee, bilateral ankle, peripheral vestibular, scars, hypertension, and migraine headaches disabilities, as well as acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD).

The claims to reopen the issues of service connection for various disabilities, including right ankle arthritis, back disability, bilateral lower extremity pain and swelling, left foot drop/abnormal gait, cervical spine/neck disability, residuals of a tibia fracture, right ear hearing loss, allergic condition, asthma, dermatitis (swelling of the groin area), and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) are granted. Service connection is established for these conditions based on their direct relationship to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and cervical spine disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year after separation from service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for post traumatic arthritis of right knee and degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the cervical spine are remanded due to insufficient evidence. A new examination is required to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and military service. The secondary service connection claim for left knee disability-related spinal issues was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating on obstructive sleep apnea is dismissed. His right ear hearing loss is granted, but his lumbar spine and cervical spine conditions are partially granted with restrictions. Other claims remain pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral hip disorder and cervical spine disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and his service-connected lumbosacral strain with muscle spasm and L4-L5 degenerative joint disease. The Veteran's current disabilities were found to be related to in-service injuries or symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an adequate VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's neck disability.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of left hand, right hand, left shoulder, right shoulder, and right elbow conditions as secondary to his service-connected cervical strain with degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease.