Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities have been granted service connection.,Service connection for the gastrointestinal condition, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, finding that there was no credible evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's cervical spondylosis is granted service connection, while his left hip disability resulting from surgery is denied under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various disabilities, including back, neck, right elbow, right hand tendon rupture, right hip, bilateral hearing loss, and left Achilles rupture/repair are all denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or link to military service.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, left shoulder condition, neck disability, chronic right knee pain, and others. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 30 percent from March 27, 2010 to April 21, 2016 for chronic sinusitis and a disability rating of 20 percent from March 27, 2010 to March 31, 2014 for cervical spine disability.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability and headaches, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service or any service-connected condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's neck disability is related to his service. The VA will need to obtain additional medical opinions and records.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of claims by his representative.,The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings and secondary service connection have been remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's emergency medical treatment at South Georgia Medical Center and Tallahassee Memorial Hospital from February 24, 2016 to March 3, 2016 was approved for payment due to the urgency of his condition and the unavailability of VA facilities.

The Veteran's throat cancer, diagnosed as oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma involving the left base of the tongue with metastasis to the left cervical nodes, is granted service connection and presumed due to his exposure to DDT during active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for neck disability, back disability, and tinnitus. Service connection is also granted for hemorrhoids and hernia but the issues of entitlement to service connection for these conditions are remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including shoulder, cervical spine/neck, bilateral ankle, cardiovascular, bilateral plantar fasciitis with fallen arches, vertigo, sleep apnea, right inguinal hernia, and skin disability of the feet. The claims are being remanded to determine the etiology of the Veteran's headaches.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including shoulder, cervical spine/neck, bilateral ankle, cardiovascular, bilateral plantar fasciitis with fallen arches, vertigo, sleep apnea, right inguinal hernia, and skin disability of the feet. The claims are being remanded to determine the etiology of the Veteran's headaches.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection of cervical spine degenerative disc disease. The Veteran's claim for bilateral premature ovarian failure was granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of neck disability, left arm disability, and ischemic optic neuropathy. The VA examinations were inadequate due to lack of supporting rationale and consideration of the Veteran's lay statements. New VA examinations are required.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and denied increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and cervical spine, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and musculoskeletal conditions, prevented him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment. The Board granted the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral shoulder, neck and back disabilities are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the etiology of her current conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected COPD has worsened since his last examination, and a remand is needed to obtain a new VA examination. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the rating issue.