Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Board has decided that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral foot disability, left hand disability, back disability, neck disability, bilateral leg disability, and gastrointestinal disorder. The case is being remanded to obtain National Guard service records.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his left shoulder condition and the reopening of his claim for service connection for cervical strain are both remanded.

The Veteran's claim to reopen the cervical spine disability is denied. The lumbar spine and left wrist disabilities are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the cervical spine, status post anterior cervical discectomy fusion due to outstanding treatment records and an incomplete examination.

The Veteran withdrew all his appeals before the Board regarding service connection for cervical spine strain with arthritis, left and right upper extremity numbness and pain, a bilateral knee disorder, and residuals of a right ankle sprain.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal, and the Board has dismissed it.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for dermatophytosis tinea corporis. The remaining issues have been remanded for further examination and medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate explanation of VA examinations and medical opinions regarding service connection for a cervical spine disorder.

The Board denied service connection for thoracic spine degenerative disc disease, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, and migraines (secondary to cervical and/or thoracic DJD) as there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

Service connection is granted for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities.,Service connection is denied for a lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and left knee disorder.,A rating of 30 percent for CAD was granted effective February 19, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer, heart disability, and cervical spine disability are granted. However, the heart disability claim is denied due to lack of a current diagnosis, and the cervical spine disability claim is denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical dystonia with dystonic head tremor, finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to a motor vehicle accident during INACDUTRA in September 1975. The decision also grants reopening of the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for cervical spine spondylosis due to insufficient testing in previous VA examinations regarding painful motion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disability should be remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development of the record.

The Veteran's appeal for reopening his claim of service connection for left knee chondromalacia patellae was granted. The appeals for other conditions were remanded.

The Veteran's upper back condition, diagnosed as a cervical strain and degenerative arthritis of the spine, is found to be related to service. Service connection for this condition has been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, consistent with his education and occupational history.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for cervical spine, lumbar spine, and GERD disabilities. The heart condition claim was denied, but the Veteran has submitted private treatment records that show ongoing issues with his heart.

The Veteran's initial 20 percent evaluation for herniated nuclear pulposus of the right paracentral C5-6 prior to May 12, 2017 is granted. An initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for the cervical spine disability throughout the appeal period is denied.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for bilateral pes planus. The remaining issues on appeal have been remanded for further development.