Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient development and consideration of evidence, particularly regarding his neck and back disabilities as well as secondary service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for a cervical spine disability and low back disability due to incomplete medical records. The Veteran's attorney submitted an executed VA Form 21-4142 General Release, but the forms were not received by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted sufficient to reopen the claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal conditions, including lower back, neck, bilateral knee, bilateral foot, left shoulder disabilities, CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and a sleep-related disorder. Entitlement to service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis and pes planus and his claimed left foot tendonitis, right foot tendonitis, low back disability, and neck disability. The VA must obtain additional medical opinions addressing these issues.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims to reopen for service connection of cervical spine, right hip, left shoulder, and headache disabilities. The effective dates are not specified as they were not addressed in this decision.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder but remanded the cervical spine disorder claim due to insufficient medical opinion regarding pre-service and aggravation by service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are being remanded due to the receipt of new evidence.,The Veteran is also being scheduled for various VA examinations related to his disabilities.

The Veteran's claims to reopen are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a new examination.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is also being remanded as it may be related to his lumbar spine disability.,The Veteran's major depressive disorder is being remanded because more recent treatment records are needed, and a new examination is required due to the severity of his condition.,The Veteran's multilevel lumbar disc disease is being remanded for a new examination as it may have worsened since the last evaluation.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability is being remanded because an opinion on whether it is related to service-connected lumbar spine disability is needed.,The Veteran's bilateral hip and knee disabilities are also being remanded due to the need for medical opinions regarding their relationship to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.,The Veteran's right ankle disability is being remanded as a new examination is required, including an assessment of whether it is related to his in-service injury.,The Veteran's bilateral tarsal tunnel syndrome and lower extremity numbness are also being remanded for medical opinions on their relationship to service-connected lumbar spine disability.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded as more detailed information regarding the impact of his disabilities on his employment is needed.

The Veteran's service connection claims for cervical spine, COPD, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome have been granted. The claim for knee disability is remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeal. The Board has also determined that additional examinations are needed for several issues, including left shoulder strain, right elbow bursitis, cervical strain, thoracolumbar strain and scoliosis, right extensor carpi ulnaris subluxation, left extensor carpi ulnaris subluxation, lipoma on the abdomen, left knee disability, right shoulder disability, left elbow disability, right hand disability, hearing loss, psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, and jaw disability.

The Veteran's spine disability and left knee disability are granted service connection. The right knee, hip, and foot disorders remain pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for cervical spine degenerative arthritis and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The case is being returned for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and conducting examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's conditions and his ability to work.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, right knee torn meniscus repair with residual arthralgia (right knee disability), and left shoulder disability were all denied increased ratings. The Veteran's hypertension was also denied an increased rating.,For the initial rating period from April 29, 2016, a compensable disability rating for right knee limitation of extension was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues of service connection for dizziness, headache disability, right knee disability, neck disability, and left arm disability are remanded due to missing VA treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for neck/cervical spine, headache, right hip, and left shoulder disabilities due to lack of credible continuity of symptoms from service or a competent nexus opinion.,Service connection was not granted as the Veteran's claimed conditions were found not related to his military service.

The Veteran's cervical spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities were denied service connection as there was no evidence of a nexus between the current conditions and military service.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for prostate cancer, low back disability, and neck disability have been granted. However, the specific nature of these connections is not detailed in the provided text.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for right hip stress fracture, sciatica of the lower extremities, and cervical strain have been granted. The rating assigned is a single 10 percent disability rating for residuals of right hip stress fracture.

The Veteran's helicobacter infection is not service-connected as it was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected GERD.,There is no current diagnosis of radiculopathy in either the right or left lower extremities.

The Veteran's cervical strain and associated residuals, including spondylosis and degenerative disc disease (cervical spine condition), are granted as service-connected.,Service connection is granted for sinusitis.,Service connection is granted for allergies and associated residuals, including chronic conjunctivitis (allergy condition).,Headaches are found to be service-connected.