Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the service-connected thoracolumbar spine strain is granted, subject to the rules and regulations governing the payment of VA monetary benefits. The claims for service connection for various conditions are denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee and leg conditions, as well as a cervical spine condition. The cases are remanded for further development including obtaining treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found no current diagnoses of cervical spine or right groin conditions, and the right leg shin splints were not shown to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of cervical spondylosis is related to his active service, and thus service connection for spondylolisthesis or segmental instability (neck disability) is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar and cervical disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active duty service. The decision also grants new and material evidence petitions for both disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability, but denied service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to the need for additional records from the Social Security Administration (SSA).

The Board has decided to remand the claims for cervical spine disability, left knee disability, Gilbert's syndrome, and bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete records. The Veteran is advised to provide any relevant medical records from the VA Medical Center in San Juan.

The Board has determined that additional medical records are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including VA treatment records from prior to February 2013 and April 2018, as well as any SSA disability records and Walter Reed Army Medical Center records related to his heart failure. The Veteran will also be afforded a VA examination for his hypertension claim.

The Veteran's cervical spine strain and patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee were denied increased ratings. The Veteran was granted a 20% rating for cervical spine strain from January 1, 2011 to June 5, 2018, but not higher. For the remainder of the period, the claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for cervical spine, lumbosacral spine, and headache disabilities due to inadequate medical examination reports. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected conditions and provide opinions regarding their impact on employment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and examination, as some records are missing or not properly obtained.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical spinal stenosis, finding that the preponderance of evidence is against his claim and thus denying it.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient examination details for his degenerative disc disease, thoracolumbar spine and cervical spine lesion. The case will be returned for further evaluation.

The Veteran's GERD was granted service connection and an effective date of July 15, 2013 is assigned.,Service connection for the right shoulder disability, left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, cervical strain, and TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) were all granted with effective dates of July 15, 2014.

The claim for service connection was not reopened, and the reduction of rating from 40 percent to 10 percent effective November 1, 2016 was found improper.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues related to his service-connected disabilities, including cervical spine disability, cervical radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, neck scars, status post right wrist bone fusion, sensory neuropathy of the lower left extremity, and bone graft scars. The Board dismissed these claims as a result.

The Veteran's GERD and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine are granted as service-connected. The Veteran is also awarded TDIU for part of the period on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses of cervical degenerative disc disease and joint disease are related to her in-service injuries and continuous symptoms since service separation.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities. The examiner is asked to provide opinions on whether these conditions are related to in-service events or diseases.