Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, neck disability, and psychiatric disability have been granted.,A TDIU claim is remanded pending the assignment of appropriate ratings.

The Veteran's right hip disability was granted a 10% rating prior to April 16, 2019 and a 30% rating effective from that date. The Veteran's right knee disability received a 30% rating effective from April 16, 2019.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability was granted a 30% rating effective from April 16, 2019.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand orders.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased rating and TDIU due to new evidence from a VA examination, and because these issues are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the cervical spine and a back condition with degenerative joint disease (DJD). The remand is due to VA not ensuring compliance with its duty to assist by providing adequate examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder was denied in September 2011 due to lack of evidence showing the condition was incurred or aggravated by service. The claim has been reopened based on new and material evidence submitted since then.,Service connection for pancreatic cancer as due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune is granted, with a VA physician's opinion concluding that the Veteran’s cancer was caused by such exposure.,The Veteran's claims for chronic headaches, residuals of a stroke, and obstructive sleep apnea secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder are all denied.,A remand has been ordered for entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).,Service connection for pancreatic cancer is granted as the Veteran's condition had its onset during active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional action, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling VA examinations. The issues of service connection for various conditions are being addressed.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further evaluation due to lack of recent VA examination and treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected lumbar spine, cervical spine, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn all issues on appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracolumbar and cervical spine disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability. The claims for right carpal tunnel syndrome, left carpal tunnel syndrome, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that the evidence did not show it began during service or was caused by an in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include hearing loss, left leg condition, lower back condition, cervical spine condition (secondary to a lower back condition), acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), and sleep disorder.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's hypertension, as well as a medical opinion describing the severity of his left shoulder disorder with scar and retained metallic fragments. The issues of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and hypertension are also being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for upper trapezium strain of the left shoulder, right shoulder, lumbar spine strain, cervical spine disability, and bilateral knee disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities, loss of vision, and headaches due to outstanding service personnel records, incomplete service treatment records, and incomplete VA treatment records. The Veteran will be afforded a new VA examination in each case.

The Veteran's claim for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment is remanded due to conflicting medical records regarding the presence of left foot drop, which could affect eligibility. Additional VA evaluations are needed to clarify this issue.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions including muscle and joint disabilities, headaches, right knee disability, left knee disability, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left CTS, and neck disability due to lack of current diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for cervical, lumbar spine disorders and right and left knee disabilities due to incomplete records and need for additional development. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.