Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder and migraine headaches do not meet the criteria for service connection due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active service.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including depression, PTSD, and alcohol dependence, are currently diagnosed but the Board is unable to determine their etiology without an additional VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, lumbar spine, and left shoulder disabilities due to insufficient examination reports. The Veteran must provide VA with private healthcare provider records and VA treatment records after March 2016. A new VA spine and shoulder examinations are needed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The left shoulder and right shoulder disabilities are rated at 20 percent each, with no higher rating warranted due to the lack of ankylosis or limitation of motion to 25 degrees from the side. Service connection for a cervical condition was also denied as it is not related to his service-connected bilateral shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disability has been reopened, but the evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is currently rated at 10 percent and there is no indication of nasal polyps. The current rating is appropriate given the severity of his symptoms.,The Veteran's eustachian tube dysfunction with ear infections and hearing loss has been rated as level I in both ears, resulting in a noncompensable disability rating.,The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating due to its limited extent of involvement on his body.,Service connection was granted for right hand arthritis and left hand arthritis, but neither condition has been rated as it is unclear if they are related to service.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus due to lack of a current disability. The case is remanded for further examination regarding the residuals of inactive cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis, including any cervical spine conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for neck disability, upper extremity radiculopathy, and TDIU as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding the severity of his disabilities and their impact on employment. The VA will need to schedule a new examination and obtain updated treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sleep apnea has been withdrawn. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for tinnitus, rhinitis, a neck disability, and a rating in excess of 20 percent for a back disability, as well as TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing treatment records and the need for a medical opinion regarding ankylosis of the cervical spine, which could affect the Veteran's claim for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for neck and right knee disabilities, but denied service connection for flat feet, residuals to cold injury for the lower extremities, and residuals to cold injury for the upper extremities.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including reopening of the right shoulder claim and service connection for right elbow and cervical spine disabilities. The Veteran's lumbar spine and left shoulder disabilities are also being remanded for additional examinations.

The Veteran requested to withdraw the appeal of their claim for an increased rating for a cervical spine disability, and the Board has dismissed this issue.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's service connection claims, including for her respiratory disability (asthma and lung nodules), neck disability, low back disability, and muscle/joint disorder. The Board also remanded the Veteran's increased rating claims for sinusitis, headaches, and PTSD.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including degenerative joint disease of the right knee, is granted as service-connected. Other conditions are denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various disabilities, including lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, left and right knee disabilities, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and unspecified depressive disorder. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disability. The claim will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or continuous symptoms since service. The Board also found that the current cervical spine disability is not related to his service-connected right hand fracture.

The Board denied service connection for lower/middle back, cervical spine, right shoulder, and left shoulder disorders as the evidence did not show a relationship between these conditions and active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a TBI and PTSD is granted. The claims for neck disability, right foot disability, right shoulder disability, left foot disability, and separate rating for depression are remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for a low back disability. The claims for service connection for cervical degenerative disc disease and sleep apnea are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to ensure that all his available service personnel records are associated with the claims file and for VA medical opinions addressing the etiology of his cervical spine disorder and low back/lumbar spine disorders.