Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disability, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and no continuity of symptomatology since service. The Veteran's current neck disabilities are attributed to natural aging processes.,The issue of service connection for a back disability remains pending as additional information regarding the Veteran's periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA) is needed, along with medical clarification on whether his congenital conditions are developmental defects or diseases.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is not service-connected.,Hepatitis C and liver cirrhosis are service-connected, with the latter being secondary to hepatitis C.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted secondary to service-connected conditions. The cervical spine condition is granted a 20% rating from March 25, 2019 onwards and the radiculopathy of the right upper extremity was granted a 20% rating from May 22, 2012 through February 26, 2018. The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right upper extremity is denied in excess of 40% after February 27, 2018.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for arthritis was denied.,The Veteran's applications to reopen the claims for low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities were also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's cervical dysplasia and CIN, including a lack of physical examination. The Veteran contends that her conditions are related to a D&C procedure during service and exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate examination in determining the severity of the Veteran's cervical spine disability. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to assess his current condition and any additional functional impairment during flare-ups.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for cervical strain and headaches, mixed type associated with traumatic brain injury have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals prior to a decision.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and cervical spine disability due to incomplete records. The Veteran's service treatment records from various ships and training centers are needed.

The Veteran's right and left knee chondromalacia were granted service connection. The claims for right and left ankle disabilities, neck disability, back disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, and acquired psychiatric disability were denied.

The Veteran's requests to reopen his previously denied claims for cervical spine disorder and right elbow disorder were not successful. His increased rating claims for left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and right fifth finger disability were also denied.

The Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities are granted with a 100% rating, effective prior to December 20, 2017. The acquired psychiatric disorder is also granted at a 100% rating, but only prior to that date.

The Board has decided to remand three issues related to service connection for left knee, lumbar spine, and cervical spine disabilities. The reasons are that the VA opinions provided were inadequate due to inaccurate facts or lack of consideration of the lay and medical evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to a lack of medical examinations and opinions regarding the nature, extent, and etiology of his claimed disabilities. The Veteran is not afforded an examination or opinion on whether he suffered from head injuries, right-hand, right-foot, low back, cervical spine, bilateral leg, and hip disabilities during service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations and opinions to address the etiology of her musculoskeletal pain, cervical spine disability, respiratory conditions, sleep disorder, and gastrointestinal disorders. The issues are currently on appeal.

The Board denied service connection for thoracolumbar and cervical spine disabilities, finding that the evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and active service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for low back disability and cervical spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of new evidence.

The appeals for service connection and rating have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the merits have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded two issues: entitlement to service connection for a low back disability and entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the claims for neck, right arm, left shoulder, and left arm disabilities due to insufficient evidence in the record.

Service connection for cervical spine degenerative joint disease is granted as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine, hip and knee disabilities. TDIU prior to July 22, 2013 is granted.