Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and further evaluation is needed.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 1, 2015 for the addition of his spouse to his VA compensation award was denied as he did not submit a completed VA Form 21-686(c) within one year of notification letters.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for further evaluation. The initial rating for adjustment disorder with anxiety remains denied, as does the request for a higher rating for cervical spine degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected herniated cervical discs, with spinal stenosis, right upper extremity radiculopathy with carpal tunnel syndrome, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded due to the need for updated treatment records and VA examinations.

The Veteran's hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and no increased rating is warranted.,Hypertension has not been shown to meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent evaluation. The Veteran does not have diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 200 or more.,Diabetes mellitus type II currently rated as 20 percent disabling; no increased rating is warranted based on the current evidence of record.,Left shoulder impingement syndrome with arthritis post-arthroscopy has been increased to a 20 percent evaluation effective December 6, 2017. No further increase in rating is warranted at this time.,Cervical spine arthritis has been increased to a 10 percent evaluation effective December 6, 2017. No further increase in rating is warranted at this time.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the remaining issues. The Veteran's testimony and wife's observations suggest his sleep problems may have started in service, but further examination is needed to determine if this is true.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches, thoracolumbar strain, and cervical strain are remanded due to inadequate examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities due to incomplete records from Elmendorf Air Force Base. The VA will need to obtain these records and provide an addendum medical opinion if necessary.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a lumbar spine disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease related to this condition.,The Veteran's hearing loss and hypothyroidism were both evaluated at their current levels, but he requested higher evaluations. A new VA examination is needed to determine if his disabilities are more severe than currently rated.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral shoulder disability and upper back disability due to inadequate previous VA opinions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which are alleged to be related to her in-service motor vehicle accident in September 2009.

The Board has denied service connection for a neck disability, finding that the Veteran's current cervical spine degenerative disc disease is not related to his in-service injury.

The Board has dismissed all appeals as the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that no service-connected disability caused or contributed to his death. The Veteran died from a fall resulting in blunt force trauma to the neck due to cervical cord pathology, which was not related to any service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for a cervical spine disability, low back disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to additional pertinent VA medical records that have not been considered yet.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a TBI or right knee disability that began during his active duty service.,Regarding the cervical spine disability, the Board finds that additional examination and opinion are needed to determine if it is related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to deficiencies in previous VA medical opinions. The case must be returned to obtain new VA medical opinions addressing the nature and etiology of his lumbar spine, cervical spine, right arm, and left wrist disorders.

The Veteran's appeal regarding cervical dysplasia has been withdrawn.,A claim for an eye disability is reopened based on new evidence received since the May 2013 rating decision.,Bilateral tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are denied as not related to service.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (anxiety and depression) and bilateral shin splints are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

Service connection has been granted for tinnitus, residuals left knee injury, cervical disc disease, and low back pain.,The Veteran's service connection claims were reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various knee, hip, and cervical spine disabilities due to additional VA-generated evidence. The issues include left knee degenerative joint disease, right knee degenerative joint disease (post ACL tear and arthroscopic repair), lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, cervical spine strain, right hip degenerative joint disease, left hip degenerative joint disease, right hand tendonitis, left hand tendonitis, and muscle tension headaches.

The Veteran's service connection claims for scalenus anticus syndrome, cervical spine disorder, bilateral hammertoes, and bilateral hallux valgus were denied. An initial 20 percent rating was granted for the left shoulder disability from July 11, 2005 to March 10, 2010.