Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the merits was denied. The claims were remanded for further action.

The Veteran's PTSD, back disability, and neck disability claims are all denied. The PTSD claim is partially granted with a 100% rating effective September 13, 2018. The back and neck disabilities remain at their current ratings.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, TDIU, SMC, and a 1151 claim are being remanded due to the need for additional development including VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for neutropenia is being remanded as there may be a worsening of his condition since the last examination in July 2012.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for a right hand scar is being remanded as there may be a worsening of his condition since the last examination in July 2012.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.,The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.,The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.,The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities. The claim for left knee condition (cervical strain) has been remanded due to incomplete medical records.,Service connection cannot be granted for the Veteran's neck disability because it was not shown during his active service, and there is insufficient evidence linking it to a currently diagnosed left knee condition.

The Board has found that further development is needed for the Veteran's cervical spine disability and herniated disc, L5-S1 with post-operative residuals claims due to insufficient examination reports. The case is being remanded.

The Veteran's sinusitis is not manifested by incapacitating episodes or three to six non-incapacitating episodes per year characterized by headaches, pain, and purulent discharge or crusting.,The Board has expanded the scope of the Veteran’s claims to encompass any diagnosis raised by the record. The matter is REMANDED for further development as described above.,Entitlement to service connection for a lung disability is remanded due to lack of medical opinion addressing causation related to service, Gulf War exposure, or undiagnosed illness.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (including anxiety, depression, and PTSD) is remanded due to the need for further development as described above.,Entitlement to an initial compensable rating for sinusitis is denied.

The Board has found that further development of the evidence is required prior to adjudicating the Veteran's service connection claims, including obtaining VA treatment records from 1987 onwards.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not file a claim prior to October 22, 2012, for PTSD, migraine condition, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, thoracolumbar spine condition, or cervical spine condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical and thoracolumbar spine disorders, as well as radiculopathy of both lower extremities. The claims are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence, and no effective date earlier than April 8, 2014, was assigned.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and effective dates due to insufficient medical evidence in the record.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical strain, lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis, and left knee disability. The decision also acknowledges the Veteran's inability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, left hip disability, cervical spine disability, and low back degenerative disc disease have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals for these issues prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including neck disability, left knee and right knee disabilities, chronic fatigue, sleep disorder, headaches, left arm and leg disabilities. The severance of service connection for fractured teeth #15 and #17 is also being addressed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a bilateral eye disability due to disease or injury in service.,The evidence does not show a diagnosis of tinnitus during service or for many years thereafter, and is unrelated to active military service.

The Veteran's increased ratings for low back strain and cervical neck strain have been denied as the evidence does not show forward flexion of the thoracolumbar or cervical spine to 30 degrees or less, nor favorable ankylosis.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, and cervical spine disabilities due to lack of evidence supporting the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and anxiety, were denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim.

The Board has found that the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder is not related to service, and the claims for right and left elbow disorders and shoulder disorders are remanded for further examination.