Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that there is a need to verify the Veteran's correct claims number, request his service treatment records from NPRC and other appropriate entities, and re-adjudicate the claims. The appeal will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD and back disability are granted as service-connected. The Board found that the current disabilities were caused by in-service events, with no evidence of pre-existing conditions or other theories of connection.

The Board denied reopening of compensation benefits for priapism with erectile dysfunction and multilevel cervical stenosis due to lack of new and material evidence, as the Veteran's assertions were not considered new or material.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's neck disability and his service-connected left knee disability. The case will be returned for further development, including a new VA examination.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for cause of death, finding that there was no causal relationship between the Veteran's service and his death from pulmonary tuberculosis.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance for his back brace was granted due to the affirmative statement that it caused wear and tear to his clothing, despite previous denials based on the type of brace used.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding his claimed low back, neck, bilateral hip, and right shoulder disabilities. The VA is instructed to schedule the Veteran for new VA examinations to determine the current nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of a cervical spine disorder. The issue of reopening service connection for a lumbar spine disorder was granted, and the remanded issue of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder is pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of adequate examination and review, requiring further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inextricably intertwined claims for a back and knee disability. The neck disability is related to these conditions, but further examination is needed to determine if it is proximately due or aggravated by them.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the appellant's death.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a gunshot wound affecting the cervical spine, finding that there was no causal relationship between the Veteran's current condition and his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a lumbosacral strain, a cervical strain, right foot metatarsalgia, left foot metatarsalgia, and residuals of an injured ring finger of the left hand. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's claims for cervical spine, eye, lumbar spine, right shoulder, and bilateral hearing loss conditions have been denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition related to service.,New evidence received since the most recent denial does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate any of these claims.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia was granted a 20 percent rating prior to August 19, 2016 and denied any increase in rating after that date.,The Veteran's fibromyalgia is currently rated at 40 percent from August 19, 2016.

The Veteran's request to reopen service connection for several conditions, including GERD, was granted. The right heel spur rating is also increased.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine DDD and lumbar spine DJD, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic disability in service or within a presumptive period, and that any current disabilities are not related to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the appeal is, therefore, REMANDED. The Veteran must provide information about his Social Security disability benefits and any relevant private medical records.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left and right shoulder, cervical spine, and tension headaches disabilities have been granted. The claim of revision or reversal of the November 1993 rating decision on the basis of CUE has also been granted.

The Veteran's initial rating for cervical spine degenerative arthritis with IVDS was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating at any time during the appeal period.,An earlier effective date than May 23, 2013, for a 20 percent rating for cervical spine degenerative arthritis with IVDS was also denied due to lack of factual ascertainability.