Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a cervical spine disability due to additional development being necessary.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a right elbow disability, neck disability, and right knee condition due to potential association with combat injuries. The Veteran is asked to provide medical records and undergo an examination to determine if his current disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability, including cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, is granted. The rating assigned is 10 percent.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for anxiety disorder was granted. Service connection for a lumbar spine disability and cervical spine disability were granted. The Veteran's claims for service connection of chronic headache disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are remanded.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for bilateral bunions and left ear hearing loss have been denied. The VA has ordered remand for further examinations to assess the severity of his hemorrhoids, right knee strain, cervical spine disability, and thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, right ankle disorder, right foot disorder, multiple body trauma, peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep disorder, and anxiety disorder. The evidence submitted did not provide new or material information to support these claims.

The Veteran's hypertension has been denied a compensable rating. The remaining claims for service connection are remanded due to incomplete records.

The Board has remanded the issues of increased ratings for the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right lower extremity radiculopathy, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), left sciatic nerve dysfunction, and degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine with IVDS. The effective date for any award is not addressed in this decision.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and records are needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's kidney stones, cervical spine disorder, and bilateral hearing loss. The case is therefore being remanded for these purposes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbosacral strain, leg limitation of flexion of right knee, cervical strain, and major depressive disorder as they were not found to be related to active service or secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Board has found that there is new and material evidence to reopen the claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, cervical spine disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorder, and asthma. The AOJ should consider this new evidence in their first instance.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss disability, back disability, neck disability, left ear hearing loss disability, erectile dysfunction, and Meniere’s disease have been dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran withdrew his claims prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder is related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status is remanded due to a lack of examination focusing solely on her service-connected disabilities. She needs an opportunity to be examined by a VA clinician.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical guidance on whether the Veteran's neck disability is related to his service-connected brain cyst and low back disability, as well as whether it was caused by military service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability has worsened since his last VA examination in July 2012. The Board finds the Veteran's statements regarding worsening symptoms credible and competent, so a new VA medical examination is needed to assess the current level of impairment.