Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a left ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes and therefore denied service connection for this condition. The issue of residuals of pneumonia was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal. Residuals of traumatic brain injury and cervical spine disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is denied as it was not incurred during active duty, did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation, and is not otherwise related to military service.

The Veteran is unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, and the Board has granted a TDIU for the period prior to November 13, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type II, recurrent strain with rotator cuff tendonitis of the left shoulder, tinnitus, right shoulder disability, back disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety and depression) have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen these claims.,The Veteran's claim for headaches secondary to service-connected degenerative changes of the cervical spine with cervical muscle strain has been granted.

The Board has remanded several claims due to the need for additional evidence and examinations. The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including residuals of left varicocelectomy, erectile dysfunction, back disability, and leg disabilities are being reviewed again.

The Veteran's spouse requires regular aid and attendance due to multiple health conditions, including fibromyalgia, lumbosacral strain, cervicalgia, lower extremity radicular pain, right shoulder osteoarthritis, COPD, and anxiety disorder. The Board granted the claim for aid and attendance special monthly compensation (SMC) for care of the Veteran’s spouse.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to inadequate opinions regarding his claimed conditions. The Veteran is to be provided with additional examinations by clinicians who have not previously examined him.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a direct or secondary relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his PTSD, traumatic amputation of the right middle finger, chronic fatigue syndrome, and various musculoskeletal conditions. The Board has determined that further examination is needed for all these claims due to the lack of recent examinations addressing current severity.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for a lumbar spine condition and an initial compensable rating for a left finger hairline fracture. The appeal for service connection for a psychiatric condition, including anxiety disorder, mood disorder, bipolar manic depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder (MDD), and substance abuse, as well as the secondary service connection claim for a cervical spine condition due to a psychiatric condition, are remanded.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder and cervical spine disability are granted as secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition was not related to his active service and did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and neck disabilities due to conflicting evidence regarding whether these conditions pre-existed service or were aggravated by service. The Veteran is directed to provide any relevant private treatment records.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for earlier effective dates and withdrawn issues related to superficial scars, cellulitis, painful scar, radiculopathy, peripheral neuropathy, muscle damage, rib cage, hypertension, and service connection. The appeal is REMANDED for further examinations and determinations regarding PTSD, cervical spine disorders, lumbar strain, TBI, and ear disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current cervical spine disability is related to his service or post-service injury.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the current condition and the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied a request for an effective date prior to April 16, 2014 for the award of service connection for DJD of the cervical spine, patellofemoral syndrome of the right and left knees, residual scar from GSW of the back, and mild interphalangeal osteoarthritis of the left fifth finger.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine, right shoulder, traumatic brain injury (TBI), migraine headaches, broken jaw, and right ankle disabilities due to lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or disease.,Service records do not indicate any incidents related to these conditions during the Veteran's active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and thoracolumbar spine disability due to inadequate VA examination, lack of medical records from private providers, and need for updated medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability and left arm nerve damage was reopened, but both claims were denied.