Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, and vision disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's claims were not supported by medical evidence or continuity of symptoms since discharge from service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to November 15, 2016, for the grants of service connection for PTSD, IBS, bilateral shoulder disability, neck disability, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative osteoarthrosis, cervical spine is denied as the evidence does not support a finding of more than 10 percent disability.,Service connection for chronic urinary tract infections and a compensable rating for residuals of stress fracture, left tibia are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions on these issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities due to a lack of substantial compliance with a previous remand directive.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone have not rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. He has failed to cooperate with development of the claim to the extent that it can not be substantiated.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities required the need for aid and attendance, but he did not meet the criteria to be considered housebound.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the appellant's current neck, left shoulder, and headache conditions are related to his in-service motor vehicle accident during inactive duty training.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for RUE radiculopathy and cervical spine disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of recent evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disorders, as well as a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.,The Veteran is seeking a higher rating for his knee conditions, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, lumbar spine disorder, thoracic spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, neurological deficits, carpal tunnel syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine and back disabilities due to insufficient rationale in the VA examination opinions, lack of complete medical records, and need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to her service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and cervical strain. The Board has found that the evidence is insufficient to grant higher ratings for these conditions or to establish new service connection for additional conditions such as traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic headaches. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, and a disability manifesting in low testosterone secondary to Hodgkin’s disease due to radiation exposure during treatment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims, including obtaining private treatment records and conducting addendum opinions regarding functional loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a right shoulder disability, neck disability, and right knee disability due to insufficient evidence on the merits. The Veteran contends his current conditions are related to injuries sustained during service.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition was not shown in service or for many years thereafter and has not been found to be etiologically related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development to determine if any current respiratory, neck, hip, wrist, hand, or knee disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with IVDS are not considered service-connected as they are unrelated to his active duty service or any service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's initial 70 percent rating for a psychiatric disorder is granted. The Board also remanded several issues on appeal, including service connection claims for various disabilities.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, acne vulgaris, cervical spine disability, left ankle disability, low back disability, radiculopathy, and obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and evidence.