Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to incomplete records from various healthcare providers. The Veteran's spouse must obtain and submit these records before further decisions can be made.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, which resulted in limited forward flexion and pain during range of motion testing, is now rated at 20 percent for the entire period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the dates of his periods of active duty and inactive duty training, as well as the exact date of a motor vehicle accident in 1988. The Veteran is also required to provide legible versions of military pay vouchers and obtain authorization from VA to release private medical records.

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

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's spondylosis cervical spine C5-C6 was aggravated while on active duty, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various upper extremity and cervical spine disabilities due to a lack of an examination addressing whether these conditions are related to his service-connected right thumb disability or if they are aggravated by it. The Veteran also needs a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right thumb disability.

The Board has found that additional development is necessary before the claims for service connection and increased ratings can be adjudicated on the merits. The Veteran's hearing loss, cervical spine disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and erectile dysfunction are all remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, as well as his lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, have been granted service connection. The initial ratings for the lumbar spine disability were reduced from 20% to 10%, effective November 6, 2013, while a separate 20% rating was assigned for the right lower extremity radiculopathy related to his cervical spine disability. The Veteran's cervical spine disability received an initial 20% rating as of March 10, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder was previously denied in January 2004, and new evidence received since then does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim. The Veteran's current cervical spine disability is not related to his military service.,There is no evidence of a kidney disorder during or within one year after service, nor was there any indication that it was caused by a service-connected condition. The Veteran's medications for his hip replacement are not considered to be a cause of his kidney stones.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, claimed as neck problems, is being remanded for further evaluation.,Hypertension and back disability have earlier effective dates of June 17, 2013.

Service connection is granted for a cervical spine condition (neck disability) with an effective date of November 30, 2012. Effective dates for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and tinnitus are not established as the Veteran did not file claims for these conditions prior to November 30, 2012.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding whether any diagnosed bilateral knee, cervical spine, or lumbar spine disabilities are caused by or aggravated by the now service-connected bilateral ankle disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and remanded the issue of secondary service connection for right upper extremity pain and weakness.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hand disability, lumbar spine disability, and cervical spine disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for low back strain with degenerative changes of the lumbar spine and cervical spine degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease with foraminal encroachment have been reopened. The appeal is granted on these issues.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including rating reductions and earlier effective dates. The specific claims include right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, chronic thoracolumbar spine strain, cervical spine strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, major depressive disorder, right ankle posttraumatic degenerative changes, left hand scar, right hip degenerative joint disease, ear nerve damage, left wrist flexor tendinitis, right wrist flexor tendinitis, tinnitus, left knee condition, bilateral hearing loss, sleep disorder, arthritis of the wrists and hands associated with service-connected carpel tunnel syndrome, type II diabetes mellitus. The Board has not reached a decision on these claims at this time.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision.,The Board has remanded several issues including: Degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, Left ankle peroneal tendonitis, Right ankle disability, Left foot disability (to include hammer toes and arthritis), Right foot disability (to include hammer toes and arthritis), and Skin disorder (other than eczema, to include basal cell carcinoma).

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The prostate cancer and metastasis of prostate carcinoma into cervical spine region, low back injury, cold injury sequelae, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and malignant melanoma claims are remanded due to lack of evidence regarding herbicide exposure, service connection for a low back injury, etiology of cold injury residuals, peripheral neuropathies, and malignant melanoma.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, diabetic retinopathy, COPD, sleep apnea, a left leg disability, and a cervical spine disability has been granted. The effective date is not specified.