Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine condition. The case is remanded for further development and consideration.

The reduction in the disability rating for service-connected cervical strain from 40 percent to 10 percent was improper, and the 40 percent rating is restored, effective July 1, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his cervical spine disability is denied.,His TDIU claim is granted, but the Board has remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding service connection and aggravation claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are not yet fully decided, as they have been remanded multiple times. The case is now being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for cervicalgia, finding that it was incurred in service and not aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine is related to his active military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a cervical spine disability has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, cervical spine disability, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, left shoulder disability, and bilateral flatfoot. The issues of service connection for these conditions have been resolved in the Veteran's favor.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, diagnosed as arthritis. The cases of lumbar spine, right knee, left knee, diabetes mellitus type II, and amputation of the right great toe are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, was granted. The claims for cervical spine and left shoulder disorders were also remanded due to insufficient evidence. Service connection for right lower extremity and left lower extremity disorders is denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to new evidence received since his last Statement of the Case. The Veteran is requested to provide information about any recent medical care providers and updated VA treatment records.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and neck disabilities should be remanded due to a lack of records from the Social Security Administration.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to service. The Veteran's current diagnoses are attributed to post-service factors.

The Board has determined that service connection for a cervical spine disability is granted, finding the evidence at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's condition was caused by his active service.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disorder is denied as not related to service.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is denied for an increased rating higher than 10 percent.,The Veteran's cervical spine disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to incomplete evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.,Service connection for a cervical spine disability is denied as there is no evidence that the current condition is related to active duty service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back injury and neurobehavioral effects, finding insufficient evidence to support these claims. The case is remanded for further development including obtaining medical opinions on the etiology of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, as his combined schedular disability rating is at least 60 percent from September 30, 2011. The Board finds that the weight of evidence does not support a finding of unemployability due to these conditions.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for the Veteran's left hip, right hip, low back, and cervical spine disabilities. However, further development is needed to determine if his wrist disabilities were aggravated by service. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding an increased rating for a cervical spine disability and service connection for a right knee disability due to the death of the appellant.