Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for a cervical spine disorder was granted, but the claim remains denied as it does not meet the criteria for service connection.,The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for right hand nerve damage was granted, but the claim remains denied as it does not meet the criteria for service connection.,The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for Hansen’s disease was granted. The evidence presented suggests that he may have a current diagnosis of Hansen’s disease.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depressive disorder. The Veteran's current diagnoses of depressive disorder were not linked to his in-service stressor or service-connected conditions.,Service connection was also denied for a lumbar spine disability. There is no evidence that the condition manifested within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, neck disability, and hypertension were previously denied. New evidence has reopened the claims for these conditions, but not for hypertension.,Service connection was granted for sleep apnea as secondary to major depressive disorder, and headaches as secondary to major depressive disorder.

The Board has determined that there are outstanding medical records relevant to the Veteran's claims and has ordered their retrieval. The Veteran is also asked to provide information about any additional private treatment records from his workman’s compensation claim.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for back and neck disabilities. The case will be remanded to obtain medical records, conduct VA examinations, and readjudicate the appeal.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40% and his cervical spine disability was reduced from 30% to 10%. The reduction in the cervical spine rating was denied as improper.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for posttraumatic headaches and neck disability were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on his symptoms, which are adequately contemplated by the current 30 percent ratings.

The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of the right hand, arm and shoulder in November 1970. The Veteran's claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.,Service connection was also denied for thoracolumbar spine disability and cervical spine disability, both related to rheumatoid arthritis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and the need for additional examinations. The issues include service connection for various conditions, including psychiatric disorders, knee injuries, foot conditions, and hypertension.

The Board denied service connection for a bladder impairment condition as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and denied entitlement to TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran was found unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for osteoarthritis of multiple joints (including bilateral ankles), spina bifida occulta, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and a cognitive disability claimed as short-term memory loss. Additional evidence is needed from SSA and VA medical records.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to address the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities, as well as whether they are caused or aggravated by his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his lumbar and cervical spine disorders, as well as bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. Additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service or other factors.

The Veteran's asthma was granted service connection as it is presumed to have existed prior to service and not aggravated by service. Other claims for various conditions were denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disorders has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability. The cervical spine disability is denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals seeking service connection for various conditions, including cervical spine condition, lumbosacral strain (also claimed as thoracic spine condition), left knee condition, right knee condition, left wrist condition, right wrist condition, right shoulder condition, and left ankle condition. The appeal is dismissed due to a lack of a valid substantive appeal.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and anxious distress has been rated at 30 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher rating of 70 percent is warranted due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board denied service connection for TBI, cervical strain, neurological disorder, sleep apnea, right arm disorder, and left arm disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service connection was not granted as the Veteran's claimed disabilities did not have their onset in active service or within a year of discharge.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, TBI, neck disability, migraine and/or tension headaches, low back disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD). The reasons provided include a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or any in-service injury. The Board has also noted that there is no continuous symptomatology for hypertension within one year of discharge.,The Veteran's claims for TBI, neck disability, migraine and/or tension headaches, low back disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) are remanded as the Veteran has not been afforded a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.