Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and MDD. Service connection was denied for a low back disability and cervical spine condition.

The Board has remanded this case due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder condition aggravated his cervical spine disability.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and has remanded the issue of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, development of records, and consideration of all issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, headaches, left knee disability, and cervical spine disability. Service connection is also granted for erectile dysfunction but denied for hypertension.

The Board has determined that the proper procedures were not followed in determining whether the Veteran is eligible for S-DVI due to his nonservice-connected conditions. The matter must be remanded to ensure compliance with all procedural requirements set forth in the M29-1, including obtaining Attending Physician's Statements (APSs) where required and ensuring that the severity of the nonservice-connected disabilities considered to be disqualifying is accurately considered.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck disability and hypertension, finding that there was no evidence of chronicity in service or within one year after separation from service.,The Board concluded that the current disabilities are not related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining a VA opinion to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed cervical spine disability, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and any additional right upper extremity disability. The issues remain on appeal.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine condition and a left knee condition, finding that the evidence did not support a direct relationship to service or any other theory of service connection.

The Veteran's neck disability and service-connected cervicogenic headaches are granted, but the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his cervicogenic headaches is denied.

The Board denied service connection for adhesive capsulitis of the left shoulder and degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the cervical spine with left upper extremity radiculopathy, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's in-service injury or his service-connected brachial plexus neuropathy. The TDIU claim was also denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are denied. The Board found no evidence linking the claimed disabilities to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a cervical spine disorder and headaches was denied due to the lack of new and relevant evidence.,Compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for both conditions was not granted as there is no credible evidence supporting the Veteran's claim that he incurred additional disabilities or aggravation of existing disabilities as a result of VA treatment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an examination and medical opinion to determine if he has a current or previously-diagnosed left arm disorder, including cervical radiculopathy, and whether it is related to his service-connected neck disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his cervical spine condition and lumbar spine disability due to incomplete medical records and failed VA examinations.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for asthma, neck disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, diabetes mellitus, and residuals of prostate cancer as he withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's cervical spine degenerative joint disease is related to his military service. The Veteran needs to be examined to determine if his current condition is linked to his in-service activities.

The Veteran's initial increased rating claims for his cervical spine disability are remanded due to the need for a complete record and updated examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck and back disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of a relationship between these conditions and his active service or any service-connected disability.,The Board also remanded the issues regarding right knee and hip disabilities due to insufficient opinions in the most recent VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU prior to February 28, 2011 are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and the need to obtain Social Security Administration records.