Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete or ongoing development. The issues of service connection and increased ratings for cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities are pending.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is related to service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability was granted. However, the claim itself remains denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current cervical spine disability and an in-service injury or disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury and no continuous symptoms since service. The Board also found that the condition is not related to military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a cervical spine disability and a right shoulder disability due to inadequate opinions from the November 2017 VA examiners. The claim will be returned for additional development, including obtaining new medical opinions addressing the etiology of the disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for low back strain, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, left knee bursitis, acanthosis nigricans and dermatofibroma with seborrheic keratoses. The claim of CUE in the denial of service connection for sinusitis and epididymitis was dismissed without prejudice to refiling.,The Board found that there is no evidence linking any of these conditions to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU rating due to service-connected disabilities, with the effective date being throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons and bases for its decision, specifically regarding the interpretation of 'sedentary work' as used by the July 2014 VA examiner. The Veteran is also required to undergo a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his cervical spine disability.

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder as secondary to a service-connected right knee disability. The claims for neck, vertigo, hypertension, and gastroparesis have been denied. The requests to reopen previously denied claims for left hip and left knee disabilities are remanded. Special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spondylosis is related to his service, specifically the abnormal posture he had to maintain while serving aboard ship. As such, the claim for service connection of cervical spondylosis is granted.

The Board has remanded the cases of cervical degenerative disc disease, bilateral hearing loss, and sleep disability to allow for further development and consideration.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral knee disabilities, cervical spine disability, pes planus and related foot disabilities, tinnitus, and a respiratory condition. The decision also notes that VA treatment records are incomplete and requests for additional medical records should be made.

The Veteran's TBI claim is denied, and his cervical and lumbosacral spine disabilities are granted with effective dates of September 20, 2017. The headaches and left ankle sprain claims remain pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for joint and muscle pain, erectile dysfunction, loss of balance and incoordination, dizziness, chills, hair loss on the legs, foot pain, chronic fatigue, shortness of breath have been granted. However, his claims for other conditions such as hypertension, eye disability, bilateral upper and lower extremity neurological disabilities, and sleep apnea are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, cervical spine disability (secondary to a low back disability), and headaches (secondary to a low back disability). The decision is based on evidence at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's naval service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed due to the Veteran’s representative withdrawing all issues except for those related to coronary artery disease, TDIU, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded four issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including cervical spine and tibial stress fractures. The claims are pending for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including osteoarthritis in multiple joints and other conditions.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection for an eye condition, claimed as flash burn injuries to the eye. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a back condition are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder and awarded a temporary total disability rating for the Veteran's surgery. The decision is based on evidence showing that the Veteran incurred an injury during service, which resulted in current symptoms of degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis.