Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received by VA, and the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability will be reconsidered.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, and a left knee disability due to conflicting opinions from VA examiners. The Veteran contends his current disabilities are related to an in-service motorcycle accident.

The Board has determined that there is not enough evidence to support the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as they are not related to his active duty military service or secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and a need for additional medical opinions. The claims will be reconsidered after all requested development is completed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for lumbar spine, cervical spine, and bilateral foot disabilities due to missing service treatment records regarding an in-service fall from a telephone pole.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is being remanded due to the need for additional development.,Service connection was denied for all claimed conditions as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's claims to establish service connection for disabilities of the neck and left knee have been reopened. The issues are remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA examination reports and determining the nature, dates of onset, and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disorder, cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and right knee disorder due to new evidence submitted within a year of the May 2014 rating decision. The remaining issues—service connection for upper respiratory tract disorder (sinusitis and allergic rhinitis) and obstructive sleep apnea—are remanded as additional development is needed regarding missing service treatment records.

The Veteran was granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the (l) level based on need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to service-connected disabilities from April 19, 2007, to March 19, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral neuropathy of the upper extremities is proximately due to, or the result of, her service-connected degenerative disc disease, cervical spine. The claim for secondary service connection is granted.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant, and no service connection was granted or denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical neck degenerative joint disease and low back degenerative joint disease, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to his time in service as a fighter pilot.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for cervical spine degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to inadequate examination reports and the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates as there is no justiciable case or controversy regarding these matters.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient evidence and need for new examinations. The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, right knee disability, and cervical spine strain are not fully addressed.

The Veteran's claims for increase ratings in Meniere’s syndrome and depressive disorder have been withdrawn.,The issues of service connection for colitis, TDIU from December 1, 2012 to August 4, 2016, and the remaining appeal are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability and awarded a maximum 30 percent rating for IBS, finding that the Veteran's symptoms of severe alternating diarrhea and constipation with constant abdominal distress meet the criteria for these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis and cervical neck lordosis condition, vertigo, irritable bowel syndrome, and migraine headaches as secondary to her service-connected disability of nonspecific musculoligamentous strain, lumbar spine. The remanded issues include determining whether these conditions are aggravated by her service-connected disabilities or if they have a direct relationship with her military service.

The Board denied service connection for neck and respiratory disabilities, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a nexus to active service.