Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that there is no credible evidence to support his contention of in-service injury or chronicity of symptoms. The Board also found that the current cervical spine condition is more likely due to normal aging rather than any incident during service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back condition and neck disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current conditions and his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, glaucoma, and partial fusion of the cervical spine are remanded as they require further examination to determine their etiology.,Service connection is denied for left shoulder degenerative joint disease, peripheral vascular disease of the lower left extremity, and peripheral vascular disease of the right lower extremity.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and his neck and left shoulder disabilities, render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The case is remanded for obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,An effective date earlier than August 15, 2012, for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,New and material evidence having been received, the petition to reopen the claim of service connection for a cervical spine disability and degenerative changes of the lumbar spine is granted.,Entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, and TDIU is remanded.,Entitlement to an increased rating for lumbosacral strain is remanded.,Entitlement to service connection for a right leg disability is remanded.,Entitlement to service connection for headaches is remanded.,Entitlement to service connection for bronchitis is remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for hemorrhoids is granted. The remaining claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for neck and low back disabilities, finding that the evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or chronic disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for migraine headaches, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active service. The appeals are not about presumptive exposure or undiagnosed illness.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis and cervical spine fracture of the C1 and C2 vertebrae as secondary to service-connected allergic rhinitis and sinusitis. The head injury residuals issue is remanded.,Further investigation and evidence are needed regarding the Veteran's head injury residuals, including whether they are related to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his DDD of the cervical spine and left upper extremity radiculopathy due to incomplete information regarding the frequency, duration, and severity of flare-ups. The VA will obtain any outstanding records and schedule the Veteran for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for right foot plantar fasciitis is dismissed. The Veteran's head scar and related migraine headaches are granted service connection, but the neck disability and right knee disability remain remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various shoulder, elbow, wrist, knee, and spine disabilities due to new medical evidence. The cases are now remanded for further development.,New evidence supports reopening of the Veteran’s claims for service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, left elbow, right elbow, left wrist, right wrist, left knee, right knee, left ankle, cervical spine, and lumbar disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's need for aid and attendance and housebound status, related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for back, neck, and headaches disabilities. The Board also denied service connection for numbness in the left leg, right leg, left arm, and right arm due to insufficient evidence of current disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for traumatic brain injury, right knee strain, left knee strain, cervical strain prior to June 17, 2016, and lumbosacral strain from June 17, 2016 due to incomplete medical opinions regarding the relationship between his service-connected disabilities and his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied, with the exception of a grant of service connection for PTSD. The earlier effective date claim was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for cervical spine degeneration and associated radiculopathy was denied, as the evidence did not show limitation of motion or ankylosis that would warrant a higher rating. The claim for TDIU based on service-connected disabilities was also denied due to the presence of other service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, specifically cervical spine injury and lumbar spine injury. The case must be remanded for another VA examination in order to comply with Sharp v. Shulkin (2017) regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disability.