Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for medical opinions. The issues include reopening of previously denied claims, entitlement to service connection for right hip disability, and an eye disability.

The Veteran's cervical strain and lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine and IVDS have been granted service connection, but his increased rating claims for these conditions are denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including earlier effective dates for hypertension and disability ratings for cervical spine and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The AOJ is instructed to obtain any outstanding records, schedule the Veteran for new VA examinations, and consider a claim of CUE in prior rating decisions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left upper extremity radiculopathy and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine due to a lack of recent VA examinations, and requests further development including new examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis are being remanded for additional examinations to determine the current severity of his conditions, including whether they affect his cervical spine and right hip. The claims will also be reviewed to ensure all relevant medical records have been considered.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of her left shoulder glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, and spinal stenosis due to inadequate examination and lack of consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to her withdrawal of appeal. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for thoracolumbar strain and reactive airways disease with allergy components are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine disability and cervical spine disability due to inadequate VA examinations, lack of evidence on record, and need for updated treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee chondromalacia and denied service connection for a cervical spine disability. The decision in favor of the Veteran's claim is based on evidence showing that his current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further development, including VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his cervical spine disability and for entitlement to a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left leg radiculopathy is granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a finding of current disability and links it to his service-connected low back disability, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has denied a higher rating for the Veteran's cervical spine disability and has remanded the issue of entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The appeal is currently pending.

The Board denied service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disorders, as well as other conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine degenerative arthritis of C3-4, left ear hearing loss, and left shoulder subacromial bursitis are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, lower back, right hip, and right ankle conditions due to secondary service connection. The VA examiners did not adequately address whether these conditions were aggravated by his service-connected left hip and left ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's disability evaluation for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is being remanded due to evidence suggesting worsening of her condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to his claim for residuals of nerve damage to the head, and therefore service connection is denied. The cervical spine and bilateral shoulder disabilities are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. Sleep apnea remains under review.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA examination to assess the severity of his left shoulder condition and determine if he meets the schedular requirements for individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.