Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations. The issues include obstructive sleep apnea, low back disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, and neck disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to incomplete medical records and inadequate opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development and examination due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability, to include damaged vertebrae and degenerative disc disease (DDD), as there was no credible evidence linking the current condition to service. The Veteran's TDIU claim prior to September 10, 2009, was also denied due to his ability to secure substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted the appellant's claims for service connection for anemia, rheumatoid arthritis, thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, bilateral knee disability, left ankle disability, and right foot disability as they are all related to his service-connected rheumatoid arthritis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee disability, thoracolumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and headaches as secondary to service-connected right and left knee disabilities due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, finding that the Veteran's statements are credible and in equipoise with medical evidence regarding continuity of symptoms since service separation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right elbow disorder is granted. The claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hip and knee disorders are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical spine early degenerative spondylosis at C4-C5 is granted, but the case is remanded to obtain a medical opinion on whether his service-connected back disability caused or aggravated this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral restless leg syndrome, cervical spine disability, and right hip disability due to incomplete examinations and clarification of certain diagnoses. The Veteran's statements regarding her medications and previous diagnoses need to be clarified.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to determine if he should be granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to October 1, 2011. The Board cannot grant this claim itself but must refer it for consideration by the Director of Compensation Service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for cervical spine degenerative disc disease at C5-C6 with spondylosis due to insufficient rationale provided by the VA examiner and the need for additional supporting evidence.

Service connection has been granted for arthritis of the cervical spine, thoracic spine, lumbar spine, hands, right knee, left knee, migraine headaches, and sinus condition (to include allergic rhinitis).,Prostate cancer has also been granted.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right leg, ankle, groin, hip, shoulder, cervical spine, and scar conditions. The effective date for a TDIU is dismissed as no effective date has been assigned yet. The issues of service connection and increased evaluations are also remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for diabetes mellitus, liver disorder, and a compensable rating for the service-connected acute rheumatic fever with migratory polyarthritis have been dismissed. The claims for service connection for low back pain and chronic kidney condition manifested by hematuria in service were granted as new and material evidence was received. Service connection has been established for right knee disability, left knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and the Veteran is presumed to have a kidney condition due to Camp Lejeune exposure. The remaining claims are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, but the other issues related to bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as cervical spine and left leg disabilities, are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's PTSD is not service-connected due to his willful misconduct during active duty. The other disabilities listed are also denied as they were either caused by or aggravated by the veteran's own actions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar strain and cervical spine degenerative disc disease due to incomplete service medical records. The RO is instructed to make another attempt to obtain these records from the Veteran’s duty stations in Germany and Fort Bragg, as well as request addendum opinions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that there is not enough evidence to support a link between her current condition and her military service or any existing service-connected conditions.