Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, finding that there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation of a disease or injury and that the current condition is not related to active service. The Board also found that secondary service connection based on neuropathy could not be granted.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical radiculopathy in the right and left upper extremities, as well as lumbar radiculopathy in the right lower extremity, all secondary to the Veteran's service-connected cervical spondylosis and lumbar spondylosis. Service connection for asymptomatic coronary artery disease was denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 30 percent for his neck disability and cervicogenic headaches, as well as his claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The decision is based on the need for new examinations and consideration of updated medical records.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to lack of compliance with previous directives and need for new examinations.

The Veteran's application to reopen her claim for service connection for cervical dysplasia is granted. Service connection for cervical dysplasia is denied. The issue of service connection for skin disability of the face, other than acne, is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities due to his failure to report for VA examinations and his testimony that he was homeless during the time examination notices were sent.

The Board has denied service connection for a cervical spine condition, but granted service connection for multilevel degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.,An initial compensable rating is remanded for the Veteran to be examined and evaluated for his traumatic brain injury.

The Board dismissed the appeals for increased ratings and service connection due to the appellant's authorized representative requesting withdrawals of all claims.

Service connection for PTSD is granted.,Service connection for unspecified depressive disorder as secondary to service-connected back condition is granted.,The Veteran's multiple joint arthritis claim is remanded.,The Veteran's cervical spondylosis and right knee conditions are both remanded.,The Veteran's left knee strain rating is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to outstanding military personnel records and inpatient hospital records from Frankfurt, Germany. The Veteran's STRs have been obtained, but there is no record of any inpatient hospitalization or investigation into an August 1976 motor vehicle accident.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his right hand strain and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination to differentiate symptoms related to service-connected disabilities from those of non-service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The case was remanded due to substantial compliance with the Board’s previous directives.

The Board has remanded the claims for right ankle disorder, cervical spine disorder, and back disorder (claimed as a back disorder) due to insufficient evidence.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for fatigue, cervical dysplasia, and gastroenteritis (functional gastrointestinal disorder) as they are not related to her active duty service.,Further development is needed for the claim of service connection for a headache disorder.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, diabetes mellitus type II, and rheumatoid arthritis. The cases are remanded to further develop evidence related to these issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to incomplete development of evidence.,Additional examinations are needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran’s bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral hip disability, and headaches, including as due to a service-connected lumbosacral spine disability. The decision also denied her request for an initial rating greater than 40 percent for her lumbosacral spine disability on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine disability and tension headaches are remanded due to the need for updated medical evaluations.