Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and neck disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic disability during or within one year after service. The preponderance of the evidence does not support a link between current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's hepatitis C, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, migraine headaches, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and respiratory condition are all granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various joint and sinus conditions due to incomplete records, inadequate VA examinations, and other procedural issues.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of cervical spine disability due to new evidence. Service connection is denied for GERD and respiratory condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, as well as consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's tension headaches are now rated at 30 percent, effective November 9, 2017. His cervical spine condition remains rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for neck, right shoulder, and left shoulder disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions addressing whether these conditions are related to service-connected lumbosacral spine disability.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a cervical spine disability, left shoulder disability, and an acquired psychiatric disability to include PTSD, anxiety, and depression due to the need for further development of the record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypoglycemia, PTSD, a cervical spine disability, and a low back disability due to lack of current diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's skin disorders, headaches, and sleep apnea are not service-connected. The cervical and lumbar spine disabilities remain under consideration as the Board finds remand necessary to obtain more specific opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims of service connection for a respiratory disability, cervical spine disability, low back disability, and gastrointestinal disability are remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her left shoulder, lumbar spine, and cervical spine disabilities due to inadequate examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his cervical and lumbar spine disabilities. The Board finds that the current VA examination opinions are inadequate.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and a right shoulder disability, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these disabilities arose during active duty.

The Veteran's cervical strain claim is denied as there is no diagnosed condition.,Prior to September 29, 2017, the Veteran’s radiculopathy of the right lower extremity was rated at 10 percent. Beginning September 29, 2017, it has been rated at 40 percent.,The Veteran's hernia scar is currently rated at 10 percent and remanded for further evaluation.,Osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine was previously rated at 10 percent prior to September 29, 2017. Beginning that date, it has been rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection was reopened due to new and material evidence. The Board found that his degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, lumbar disc herniation, and lumbosacral strain are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal and eye disabilities due to insufficient evidence of record. The claims are being returned for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and affording the Veteran with appropriate VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disability, and a new VA examination is needed.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's cervical spine disability is related to service, including a head injury in service. The examiner must provide an opinion on whether any identified cervical spine disability had its onset in service or was aggravated by service.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disability, which may be related to service. The case is being remanded for this purpose.