Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities related to his in-service motor vehicle accidents and therefore denied service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, and right hip disabilities. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding residuals of a head injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities related to his in-service motor vehicle accidents and therefore denied service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, and right hip disabilities. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding residuals of a head injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities related to his in-service motor vehicle accidents and therefore denied service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, and right hip disabilities. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding residuals of a head injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities related to his in-service motor vehicle accidents and therefore denied service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, and right hip disabilities. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding residuals of a head injury.

The Veteran's claim for a low back disability and TMJ was reopened, with the new evidence showing diagnoses of low back pain and TMJ. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected as it is at least as likely as not due to her service-connected vertigo.,The Veteran's DDD of the cervical spine has been granted a 30% disability rating, which is the maximum schedular rating available under VA regulations.

The Veteran's prostate cancer was not incurred or aggravated by service, and the Board denied his claim for service connection. The appeal is also remanded for further examination regarding special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance/housebound.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disorders, as well as eye allergies. The Veteran is required to report for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral flat feet, unspecified anxiety disorder with posttraumatic stress disorder (psychiatric disability), migraine headaches, and kidney disability have been granted. The claim for acne was denied. Effective November 17, 2015, the Veteran is now receiving a 70 percent rating for his psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for additional medical examinations and a Statement of the Case (SOC). The issues include service connection for neck injury, TDIU, and an initial evaluation higher than 10 percent for residuals of a head injury.

The Veteran's neck disability was granted a rating of 30 percent from August 14, 2009 to October 7, 2014. From December 1, 2014, the rating for his neck disability is also 30 percent. The back disability received a rating of 30 percent from August 1, 2017 to December 8, 2017.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, blood disorder, penis deformity, renal disability, anemia, purpura, poliomyelitis (claimed as secondary to Camp Lejeune), lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a right hip condition, lumbar spine condition, and cervical spine condition due to lack of adequate examination. The claim for an increased rating for a right leg disability is also remanded.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for depression. The claims for a low back disorder, cervical spine disorder, and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims due to new evidence received after the May 2016 statement of the case.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is currently at 100%, but he has not been granted a permanent and total disability rating for any of his service-connected conditions. The Board denies the claim as there is no legal basis to grant Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical arthritis and left cervical motor radiculopathy are granted. The claim for an increased rating for depression is remanded.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease with stenosis, status post anterior cervical fusion, had its onset during service and is granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, bilateral knee, and right shoulder disabilities due to inadequate examination reports. The VA is required to provide a new examination that addresses whether these conditions are related to service or secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's chronic headaches and neck disability are granted, with a 50% rating for headaches.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and the Board found no evidence linking his heart condition to his active duty service or any potential exposure to herbicides while stationed at Korat RTAFB.