Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for VR&E benefits is remanded due to the need for a complete vocational rehabilitation file and additional evaluations. The Veteran also needs to provide evidence of unsuccessful attempts at employment in his chosen fields.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected cervical strain degenerative disc disease (DDD) is remanded due to an inadequate VA examination prior to the January 2019 decision. A new VA examination is required to assess the severity of his condition, including during flare-ups and after repeated use over time.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection are denied as the decisions establishing the current effective dates have already become final.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require regular aid and attendance of another person, as he is unable to perform daily activities such as dressing, grooming, bathing, feeding himself, and attending to his needs. The Board has granted SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee conditions and a cervical spine condition due to insufficient medical evidence of record. The Veteran is required to be afforded VA examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions regarding whether hypertension is aggravated by service-connected diabetes mellitus and/or diabetic nephropathy. The Veteran's private treatment records are also incomplete, and additional requests for these records must be made.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for irritable bowel syndrome and degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine were denied as there is no legal basis for higher schedular evaluations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical spine injuries is being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his periods of active duty and the nature of his disability.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability and remanded the issue of service connection for a neck disability. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed to determine if his current disabilities were incurred in or aggravated by active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bipolar disorder. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 30 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine with intervertebral disc syndrome is denied. The Board finds that there was no factually ascertainable increase in disability within one year prior to December 12, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet a combined rating of 60 percent, but the Board has referred the issue to the Director for extraschedular consideration due to evidence suggesting his disabilities impact his ability to maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus the Board grants a TDIU rating.

The Board granted service connection for a back condition, cervical strain (neck condition), and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The conditions are considered to be directly related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine, left knee, right knee, left foot, and right foot disabilities. Service connection is denied for low back, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities.,Service connection was granted based on the Veteran's credible reports of in-service injuries and continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hearing loss, kidney pain, and cervical spine disorder due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, neck disability, headaches, and neurological disabilities of the bilateral lower extremities. The left shoulder disability claim was remanded but no VA examination has been provided.,Service connection is not granted for the Veteran's claimed conditions as there is insufficient evidence to establish a link between his current condition and service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis due to trauma, a low back condition, and a cervical spine condition. The evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions began during active service or was related to an in-service injury.,There is no medical evidence linking the current diagnosed conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of aggravation of hypertension during service, and that there was no evidence to show that any other conditions claimed by the Veteran had been aggravated by service.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's disabilities are related to his military service.