Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine and cervical spine have been granted disability evaluations of 40% and 30%, respectively, for the entire appeal period.

Service connection for a cervical spine disability is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that it began during service or is related to an in-service injury.,Service connection for a stomach disability (chronic gastritis) is denied as there is no evidence of a chronic disability during active service and continuity of symptomatology has not been established.,Service connection for PTSD is denied as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD due to in-service stressors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck and back disabilities due to inadequate examination reports. The examiner is asked to consider the Veteran's lay statements, in-service fall, and post-service treatment records when determining whether his current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, but has remanded these issues due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are being examined again to determine if they are related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine and a thoracic spine disorder, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to inadequate prior opinions and incomplete evidentiary development.

The Board denied service connection for a neck strain with paraspinal muscle spasm and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not support a link to service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to various disabilities, including uterine fibroids, right knee disability, scars of the right knee and abdomen, lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, cervical spine disability, cervical radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, left breast scars, Kienbach's disease with arthritis of the right wrist, and Kienbach's disease with arthritis of the left wrist. The remand requires consideration of additional evidence and issuance of a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC).

The Board has determined that more development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any gastrointestinal disability to include IBS, as well as whether it is related to service. The Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for fibromyalgia and TDIU will be remanded due to the need for further examination and development.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his cervical spine disability was denied. The current 20 percent rating is maintained as the evidence does not show forward flexion limited to 15 degrees or less, which would warrant a higher 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as related to service, including herbicide exposure. His essential tremors are denied due to lack of a direct link. The cervical spine disability is denied due to lack of a nexus.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional examinations and opinions to address whether the Veteran's spinal disorders are related to service-connected disabilities, specifically his knee conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting evidence and the need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's cervical spine disability and his service-connected right elbow, right shoulder, and low back disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in adjudicating the issues raised by the Appellant, including her arguments regarding service connection for coccidiomycosis meningitis and other service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability and an increased evaluation to 70 percent for major depressive disorder. The TDIU issue is also remanded.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for cervical spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities have been denied. Service connection has been granted for plantar fasciitis and hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical degenerative joint disease but remanded the issue of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeals.,Service connection has been granted for degenerative arthritis, intervertebral disc syndrome, and spinal stenosis of the cervical spine.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, but these claims are still being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a variety of conditions including back, knee, ankle, and brain injury issues. The VA will need to provide additional medical opinions to address the relationship between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for neck and back disabilities due to PTSD, as they are related to active service. The VA medical nexus opinions provided in December 2019 were found inadequate and not probative.