Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine disability has been reopened, but the Board finds that further examination and opinion are needed to determine if his current condition is due to or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, and bilateral knee disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran should be provided with new examinations to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of cervical spine disability is pending and needs to be addressed.,The reduction from 30 percent to 20 percent for cervical spine disability, effective May 17, 2016, is also under review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability and acquired psychiatric disorder due to his failure to report for VA examinations. The AOJ is instructed to schedule new VA examinations and readjudicate the claims.

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

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sacroiliac osteoarthritis, DDD of the cervical spine, and headaches due to new evidence. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent but no higher. TDIU is granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection of a cervical spine condition, lower back condition, and hysterectomy.,However, the Board has not found that any of these conditions are related to her time in military service.

The Board has not made a final determination on the service connection claims for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as peripheral neuropathy. The claims are being remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and cervical spine disabilities due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The VA will need to conduct further examinations to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, cervical spine disability, back disability, and memory loss due to Camp Lejeune exposure have been granted. The service connection for these conditions is based on new evidence that reopened the previously denied claims.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical and thoracolumbar spine disorders, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions including cervical spine disability, chronic sinusitis, left hip disability, diverticulitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and endometriosis. The reasons given were that the disabilities did not have their onset in service or are not etiologically related to an in-service disease or injury.

The Veteran's headaches and cervical spine disabilities are granted as service connected. The headaches were present since the in-service fall, while the cervical spine disability is presumed to have started during service due to a fall.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the current severity of his disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder disability, lower back disability, neck disability, and bilateral ankle disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical and lumbar spine degeneration with myospasm, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and left knee disorder. The case is remanded for additional development regarding the left knee disorder.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, service connection for various conditions, and a compensable rating for his gunshot wound scars are remanded. The Veteran's exposure to Agent Orange or toxins from jet fuel is also under consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine disability. The claims for heart condition, left shoulder condition, and right shoulder condition are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: the evaluation of the Veteran's cervical spine disability and service connection for his lumbar spine disability. The remand is due to insufficient evidence in both cases, requiring further examination and opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine disorder, as secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain. The decision is based on the need for an examination to determine if there is any link between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and neck disabilities due to a lack of current diagnosed conditions, and because additional records are needed. The Veteran will be asked to provide any relevant treatment records from the Department of Defense and Air Force.