Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for torn ACL/MCL and meniscus of the left knee, neck disability, and pinched nerve, center back due to inadequate examinations. The cases are returned to the RO for further action.

The Board denied service connection for various shoulder and foot conditions, as well as cervical spine fusion. The Veteran's right and left shoulder arthritis disabilities were not shown to meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left knee disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, left wrist disability, and right wrist disability has been granted.,Service connection for cervical spine condition and vertigo has also been granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple issues has been dismissed due to the withdrawal of the appeal by his representative.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD is granted, effective from November 12, 2010. The Veteran’s neck condition and sleep apnea are not service-connected.,Service connection for the Veteran's current neck condition is denied as less likely than not related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding that there was insufficient evidence to support his claims or that the conditions did not meet the criteria for the requested ratings.

The Board has remanded all the issues related to service connection for various disorders due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran's cervical strain is rated at 20 percent, and separate ratings for right arm pain are granted from April 24, 2008 to September 20, 2016, and from September 21, 2016.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for diabetes mellitus, lower back disability, and neck disability due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 30 percent since May 12, 2017. The claim for a higher rating prior to that date was denied.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), and skin disability other than pyoderma were denied service connection. The cervical spine disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service due to lack of evidence connecting it to an in-service injury. PFB was granted as the condition began during service. The skin disability other than pyoderma was denied because there is no link between the in-service pyoderma and current conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and lumbosacral spine disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions provided in a previous remand. The case is being sent back for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's application to reopen his neck disability claim was granted. His lower back disability claim, however, remains denied.,The Board has ordered a remand for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran’s neck disability.

The Veteran's cervical and thoracolumbar spine muscle strains with spasm are rated at 30 percent, the highest available rating under VA regulations. The criteria for higher ratings have not been met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, high cholesterol, right foot hammer toes, and increased ratings for cervical degenerative disc disease and plantar warts are all being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and information.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including left hand, right hand, left arm, right arm, bilateral foot, left hip, neck, and TBI disabilities. The Veteran's claims were not supported by competent and credible evidence of current diagnoses or a causal relationship to service.

The Veteran's increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and tension headaches are remanded due to the need for new examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar strain, cervical spine degenerative arthritis and disc disease, right knee degenerative joint disease, and left hip strain disorder are all remanded due to the need for further examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's GERD is rated at a 10 percent disability rating, which is the maximum available under current regulations.,Service connection for bronchitis has been reopened and granted based on new evidence.