Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and consideration, including the reopening of claims for service connection for various conditions. The Veteran's service records are to be obtained, as well as relevant VA and private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for various service-connected disabilities due to a lack of recent VA examinations and assertions of worsening symptoms. The cases are being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a neck disability and service connection for herpes virus, but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral foot condition.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for herpes virus is denied as there is no current diagnosis of herpes.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service. The cervical spine disability issue remains pending and will be remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder strain, degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the cervical spine, and degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine due to inadequate opinions in the VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his cervical spine intervertebral disc syndrome and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for further development, including a new VA examination.

Service connection for hypertension, left shoulder injury, right shoulder injury, stroke, degenerative disk disease of the cervical spine (claimed as upper back and neck condition), and degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbosacral spine (claimed as back condition) is denied.,The Veteran's service connection claim for left shoulder injury and right shoulder injury is dismissed due to a pending legacy appeal.

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral spine and cervical spine disabilities, finding no evidence of a direct link to service or aggravation by diabetes.,Service connection was also denied for an effective date prior to February 12, 2016 for the grant of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disorder and lumbar spine disorder due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding chronicity of his conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and neck disability due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disorders due to concerns raised by a Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Memorandum Decision. The case will be reviewed with an addendum medical opinion from the October 2016 VA examiner.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for cervical spine, radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities, and lumbar spine disorders are remanded. The service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder is also remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the merits of diverticulosis, dyslipidemia, hypertension, intervertebral disc syndrome, and a refraction error have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded cases regarding service connection for a pulmonary disability, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, depressive disorder with anxiety, and glaucoma.

The Board has remanded multiple issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for psychiatric disorders, knee disabilities, wrist disability, shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability. The RO is directed to issue a Statement of the Case on the psychiatric disorder claim.

The Veteran's petition to reopen her claim for service connection for a lumbar spine condition has been granted. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for right knee and cervical spine conditions, as well as the rating for hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for higher education benefits is denied because he did not have a service-connected disability that caused his discharge, and therefore does not qualify for the 100% rate.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical degenerative disc disease and arthritis as secondary to his service-connected right shoulder separation with DJD, finding that there is no medical evidence supporting a causal relationship between these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical strain, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's neck disability is related to service or secondary to his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected bilateral knee and ankle disorders. The cervical spine disorder is also found to be at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected bilateral knee and ankle disorders.