Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck and back disabilities, as well as his TDIU claim due to new evidence indicating that his conditions have worsened since his last VA examination in March 2014. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the submission of additional VA treatment records since the December 2015 statement of the case. The issues on appeal include service connection for various conditions and a rating in excess of 20 percent for cervical degenerative disc disease.

The Board has restored the Veteran's cervical spine disability rating from 10% to 20%, finding that her condition did not improve under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent throughout the claim period.,Service connection is granted for a neck disability, chronic bronchitis, prostate cancer, and right and left knee disabilities. The acquired psychiatric disorder, GERD, groin disability, and service connection claims remain pending.,An increased rating of 50 percent for migraine headaches is granted. Service connection for the neck disability, chronic bronchitis, prostate cancer, and right and left knee disabilities are granted. The acquired psychiatric disorder, GERD, and groin disability claims are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral arm disability, neck disability, and back disability due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's cervical spine DJD is granted as service connected. The lumbosacral spine DDD and DJD, with a current rating of 20%, remains unchanged.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's back disability, and further development is needed.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck disability and residuals of a TBI. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left wrist disability and a lumbosacral cervical strain (back disability), finding that there was no current diagnosis of either condition, or evidence linking them to service.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the need for additional development of medical records from Kenner Army Community Hospital.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The cervical spine, fatigue, and gastrointestinal disability claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues currently on appeal, including service connection and increased rating claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back disability and left knee disability due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and cervical spine disorders have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right foot injury, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to an in-service injury. The appeal seeking service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, and TDIU has been withdrawn by the Veteran.,The Board remanded the claims for service connection for lower back injury, COPD, and OSA due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset during active duty or qualifying periods of inactive duty training.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for left and right torn rotator cuff disabilities have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing her appeal. Her bilateral hearing loss claim has been denied as she did not meet the criteria for a current disability under VA regulations. The Veteran's cervical spine, lumbar spine, and headache conditions are all granted based on continuity of symptomatology since service.,The Veteran experienced injuries during service that resulted in ongoing cervical and lumbar spine issues, which have been linked to her military service through continuous symptoms. Her hearing loss is not considered a current disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Veteran's cervical radiculopathy of the right upper extremity is currently rated at 40 percent, effective May 16, 2013. The Veteran's cervical radiculopathy of the left upper extremity is granted with a rating of 20 percent prior to May 16, 2013 and 40 percent thereafter.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of peritonitis and for increased ratings for thoracolumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as right upper and lower extremity radiculopathy due to lack of evidence of current disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's claimed left ankle, right knee, left knee, left hip, right shoulder, left shoulder, thoracolumbar spine with radiculopathy, and cervical spine disabilities based on a finding of in-service onset and credible reports of chronicity.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar disc fusion, paralysis, and cervical fusion.