Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and effective dates are being remanded due to the need for a DRO hearing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The VA also denied increased ratings for various conditions, including a right brachial plexus injury and migraine headaches.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for left knee disability to include chronic knee pain and remanded other issues including cervical pain, colonic polyp/mass, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of cervical and lumbar spine disorders, as well as other conditions including PTSD, erectile dysfunction, headaches, shoulder disorder, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral foot disorder are remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, and headache disorders due to new evidence received since the last SSOC.

The Board denied service connection for various spinal and joint disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his reported in-service injuries and current symptoms. The claims will be remanded to allow for these evaluations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including cervical disability, low back disability, right knee and left knee disabilities, left ankle and right ankle disabilities, vertigo, and lung/breathing disability. The claims are being remanded due to insufficient competent evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right carpel tunnel syndrome, a back injury, and a cervical spine disability due to insufficient evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for cervical spine disability prior to December 21, 2018 and beginning December 21, 2018 was denied. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to December 21, 2018 or 30 percent from that date.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left shoulder rotator cuff tear and cervical spine degenerative disc disease were denied as the evidence did not show that he met the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a low back disability. The claims for service connection for cervical spine, right hip, right knee, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, diabetes mellitus, and acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to new evidence received since the last final denial.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic low back strain has been granted increased ratings for lumbar radiculopathy of the RLE, LLE, and depression. Service connection is also granted for a cervical spine condition secondary to his service-connected chronic low back strain.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, a psychiatric disorder, and a cervical spine disorder. The claim for severance of service connection for cervicogenic headaches was granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, secondary to left retinal detachment from a car accident, was denied. The Board found new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the claim but continued denial of service connection.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was also denied as there is no evidence of such condition in service or within one year post-service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability is granted.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for low back disability and cervical spine disorder are both denied.,Service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, intestinal issue, right hand disability, and left hand disability are all denied.

The Veteran's petition to reopen her claim for service connection of a cervical spine disability was granted. The initial rating for major depressive disorder (prior to September 27, 2018) is increased to 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and the need for a VA examination. The issues of cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and right foot disability secondary to lumbar spine disability are being reviewed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a cervical spine disability, finding that there is no evidence of in-service injury or chronic condition related to these disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and cervical spine disability, as well as his request for an increased rating for lumbar strain. The effective date of the grant of a 20% evaluation for lumbar strain was not granted.