Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a cervical spine disorder and right hip disorder due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has granted service connection for pes planus and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to active duty service. The right knee disability and left knee disability have been remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.,Service connection for a right testicular varicocele is also granted, with the condition being attributed to an in-service personal assault.

The Board has referred the Veteran's claims for restoration of payments, earlier effective dates for service connection and ratings, and TDIU to the RO. The issues are remanded due to procedural errors.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that it is not related to his active duty service or his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent from May 9, 2012 and continuing thereafter for bilateral tinnitus is dismissed. The claims of service connection for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and cervical spine disorder (secondary to service-connected lumbar spine disorder) are granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding insufficient evidence to support his contention that it was related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a neck condition and bilateral plantar fasciitis, to include bilateral degenerative arthritis of the feet and hallux valgus (also claimed as bilateral foot problems).,There is no evidence that the Veteran's current cervical spine or bilateral foot conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected chronic lumbar strain and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, and has remanded the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to the inextricably intertwined nature with the issues regarding the cervical spine.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is being remanded for further development.,There is no current diagnosis of gastroenteritis or diabetes in the record.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are at least as likely as not related to his active duty service. The claim was reopened due to new evidence received since the final denial in March 2007.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of right and left knee disabilities, as well as his claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes. The appeal was also remanded for further action on other issues.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition and bladder impairment were not found to be caused or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine spondylosis, resulting in denial of both claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and traumatic arthritis of the cervical spine with tension headaches, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot, right shoulder, cervical stenosis with spondylotic myelopathy, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran has withdrawn their appeals for a compensable rating for hallux valgus of the left foot and service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral upper extremities.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's cervical strain, which started in service and continued to be present during the appellate period, meets the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for a cervical spine disorder and a lumbar spine disorder due to new evidence received since the last final denial. The Veteran's testimony supports his claims, but service connection is denied as there is no medical evidence linking current symptoms to an in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to deficiencies in previous examinations.

The Veteran is granted a total disability based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) effective June 26, 2006 due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection for headaches and head injury, cervical spine DDD, and thoracolumbar spine DDD. The claims were remanded for further development.