Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection and higher ratings for various disabilities, including tinnitus, a heart condition, bilateral hearing loss, right lumbar radiculopathy, right hip disability, major depressive disorder, neck disability, low back disability, and right knee disability. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address these issues.,The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his service-connected disabilities, including tinnitus and heart condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee arthritis and cervical spine disorder, finding no nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine condition and headache disorder, finding that additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and cervical spine arthritis are found to be related to service, thus granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, a cervical spine disability, and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy. The Board also denied his requests for initial evaluations in excess of 30 percent for tension headaches, a compensable evaluation for TBI, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for a cranium scar.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and for a temporary total evaluation due to treatment for a cervical spine disorder requiring convalescence. The decision found that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or chronic disability, and that any current cervical spine disorder is not related to service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for cervical spondylosis and right acromioclavicular joint separation status-post surgical repair with osteoarthritis are being remanded due to the reduction in their respective ratings from 20 percent to 10 percent effective December 1, 2014.

The Board has found insufficient evidence to adjudicate the Veteran's claims for neck, low back, and left knee disabilities. The Veteran must be afforded examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions. The Veteran's right knee disability remains on appeal, as does his cervical spine disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased disability ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, left upper extremity disorder, right-hand disorder, lumbar spine disorder, glaucoma, and cervical spondylosis at C6-C7 due to additional evidence being added to the Veteran's file.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed bilateral shoulder, elbow, wrist, cervical spine, and headache disorders. The VA examinations were not sufficient to determine if these conditions are related to active service or an undiagnosed illness.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a direct relationship between his in-service injury and his current condition or with his service-connected back disability.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss. The remaining issues of neck, right knee, left knee (secondary to right knee), right shoulder, and left shoulder disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination for cervical spine strain prior to May 11, 2011. The Veteran needs a new VA examination with an addendum opinion regarding the period before May 11, 2011.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are inadequate, and thus remanded to obtain further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is granted as service connected secondary to her service-connected lumbosacral strain. The left leg radiculopathy claim remains denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate prior VA examinations. The Veteran will be scheduled for a new VA spine examination to evaluate his service-connected low back and cervical spine disabilities, including forward flexion and combined range of motion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, with a 30% rating granted for the right distal fibula fracture at the ankle disability from February 28, 2019.,A new and material claim has also been granted for nerve damage due to cervical vertebrae collapse.

The appeal to reopen a claim for service connection for right knee condition is granted. The claims of service connection for cervical, bilateral ankle, headaches, acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), blurred vision, dizziness, back condition, and bilateral hip conditions are remanded.