Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was presented to reopen the claim of service connection for a cervical spine disability. The Veteran's current diagnosis of cervical spine degenerative disc disease is considered etiologically related to his active duty service, with the opinion of a VA physician supporting this conclusion.

The Veteran's right elbow olecranon spur with limitation in motion is granted service connection. The cervical spine condition and headache condition are denied.

The Veteran's neck disability, including cervical degenerative osteoarthritis, is granted as service connected. The upper back disability claim was referred to the AOJ for further consideration. The hypertension and Meniere's syndrome claims are remanded.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including bilateral foot condition, respiratory disability (breathing problems), headaches, lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities, bilateral ankle disability, and sleeping disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations or medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities including right shoulder, left arm, cervical spine, bilateral knee, binocular vision, and hearing loss disabilities due to the Veteran's failure to attend VA examinations scheduled in November 2009.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for cervical spine disability, low back disability, insomnia, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to new evidence received since previous decisions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hip disability, low back disability, and neck disability due to incomplete development.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board denies entitlement to Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding the relationship between his current disabilities and his military service. The issues include cervical spine, lumbar spine, throat condition (GERD), sleep apnea, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and a neck disability, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence in favor of the Veteran's assertions regarding the onset and continuity of his symptoms since service.

The claim for a rating greater than 40 percent for residuals of traumatic brain injury has been dismissed. The claims for service connection and compensation for bilateral hearing loss, muscle damage of the abdomen (stomach pain, stomach problems), cervical spine DDD, osteochondritis dissecans of the left foot, and dry-eye syndrome have been addressed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection was denied. The decision also noted that the Veteran had new and material evidence to reopen her claims of service connection for right hand tendonitis and left hand tendonitis.

The Board has denied service connection for fibromyalgia, right shoulder and arm disability, left shoulder and arm disability, neck disability, low back disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, right hand disability, and left hand disability. The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to July 2014 and 40 percent thereafter for left ankle disability and service connection for psychiatric disorder are remanded.,The Board has denied service connection for fibromyalgia, right shoulder and arm disability, left shoulder and arm disability, neck disability, low back disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, right hand disability, and left hand disability. The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to July 2014 and 40 percent thereafter for left ankle disability and service connection for psychiatric disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a left leg disorder, lumbar spine disorder with radiculopathy, sciatic nerve disorder, and cervical spine disorder has been denied.,Service connection was not granted as the evidence did not show that the Veteran had any current disability related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeals for additional development and consideration of new evidence, including VA examination reports and treatment records. The issues include rating adjustments for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, right foot superficial peroneal neuritis, left foot degenerative joint disease, chronic otitis media, and a right ear injury with perforation of tympanic membrane. TDIU is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for cervical spine injury, low back injury, and migraine headaches have been granted. Service connection is established for these conditions.,Service connection for depressive disorder (claimed to include PTSD) has also been granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spondylosis and degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine with disc herniation L4-5. However, it was determined that these conditions are not related to his military service.