Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine, shoulder, knee conditions are not related to his military service and remands these issues for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disability is granted, as new evidence supports reopening the claim. Service connection is also granted for back pain due to exposure in Southwest Asia. The rating and effective date are not specified.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for left lower extremity radiculopathy and his secondary service connection claim for cervical spine condition to include as secondary to the service-connected degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine were both denied.

The Veteran's GERD is rated at 10 percent, but no higher. The cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are remanded for additional examinations to determine their severity.

The Veteran's service-connected burn scars, cervical spine injury, and left upper extremity radiculopathy prevent him from obtaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has determined that the criteria for TDIU have been met.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, but denied service connection for right and left knee disabilities and Gulf War illness. The cervical spine disability is linked to an in-service injury, while the right and left knee disabilities are not considered incurred due to service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The heart condition and cervical cancer claims are remanded due to outstanding medical records.

The Veteran's tinnitus is not service-connected as it did not begin during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,The Veteran’s bilateral pes planus does not warrant a compensable rating as her symptoms are relieved by orthotic inserts.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities due to incomplete medical records and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's initial ratings for Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) of the cervical and lumbar spine have been granted from December 27, 2015. The effective dates are based on the day after separation from service.

The Veteran's lung disability is denied as there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service or otherwise shown to be associated with his active service, including asbestos exposure.,The Veteran's residuals of TBI are denied as the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that he has current residuals from an in-service motorcycle accident.,The Veteran's back disability is denied as there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service or otherwise shown to be related to his active service.,The Veteran's right upper extremity, neck, and bilateral lower extremities disabilities are denied as the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that they began during active service or were otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the spine is now rated at 40 percent, effective February 5, 2016. This rating reflects significant limitation in forward flexion.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating of 20 percent for dry eye with allergic component OU (bilateral) is granted. Service connection for tinnitus is also granted, but the claims for lumbar spine condition, cervical spine condition, and right hand condition are remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine, cervical spine, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus disabilities are not service-connected.,Service connection was denied for all conditions due to lack of evidence showing a link between the current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disorders, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, cervical spine disorder, bilateral renal cysts, prostatitis/benign prostatic hypertrophy with hematuria (BPH) have all been denied as the evidence does not support a finding of in-service onset or direct causation.

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

The Board denied service connection for bilateral shoulder, knee, lumbar spine, and cervical spine disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's representative did not respond to the RO’s request for additional information.,Service connection was also denied for TBI and chronic headache disability as there is no objective evidence supporting their existence or causation in service.

The Veteran's spine and neurological disabilities are being remanded for further examination to assess their current severity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, an upper back condition, hemorrhoids, and a right knee disability due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.