Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine condition, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy due to potential issues with the April 2017 VA examination.

The Veteran's appeals for higher evaluations for his service-connected right and left shoulder disorders have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,The Veteran's appeals for higher evaluations for his service-connected cervical spine disorder, right knee retropatellar pain syndrome, left knee retropatellar pain syndrome, and left ankle tendinitis are remanded to obtain additional VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to the Veteran's failure to report for scheduled VA examinations and his contention that his hip and back disabilities are secondary to his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the origin of the Veteran's cervical spine disability, including neck pain and degenerative disc disease. The examiner is asked to reconcile the history of neck pain and arthritis prior to a later MVA.

The Veteran's request to reopen her claim of service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board also grants service connection for PTSD, finding that the evidence shows a current disability and relates it to in-service motor vehicle accidents. Service connection for back disability, right knee disability, cervical spine disability, and thoracolumbar spine disability are remanded due to lack of medical nexus opinions.

The Board denied service connection for left, right knee disabilities and neck disability. The Veteran's current knee and back conditions were not shown as chronic in service or within a presumptive period, and continuity of symptomatology was not established.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status, as he could manage his daily activities with assistance from his wife.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for sleep apnea, seizure disorder, and TDIU have been dismissed. The appeal regarding the extension of a temporary total disability rating based on convalescence has also been dismissed. The remaining issues are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's cervical spine disability and left upper extremity radiculopathy are related to service, thus granting both claims.

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 his current conditions and his active duty service.,The Board has also remanded the issues regarding PTSD and diabetes mellitus type II, as well as the right ear hearing loss disability. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered based on additional evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical multilevel spondylosis, multilevel lumbar degenerative spine disease, bilateral Achilles enthesopathy, mid left acetabular sclerosis, and bilateral knee mild osteoarthritis.,Service connection was denied for malaria, right hip condition, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), headaches, and acid reflux.

The Veteran withdrew from appeal his claims for service connection for lumbar spine arthritis and a higher rating for cervical spine degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a cerebrovascular accident has been withdrawn.,Service connection for hypertension is denied as there is no in-service event or continuous symptomatology related to the condition.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied due to lack of evidence showing current disability within VA standards.,The Veteran's bilateral shoulder disorder, osteoarthritis impacting multiple joints, and erectile dysfunction are remanded for further evaluation.,Further medical examination is needed to determine if the Veteran’s conditions are related to service or other service-connected disabilities.

The appeal to reopen the claims for neck and right shoulder disabilities is granted. The claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is denied, but the Veteran's notice of disagreement regarding the effective date for an acquired psychiatric disorder was not timely.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from April 22, 2011 until February 27, 2013.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to July 20, 2016. The Veteran's current lumbar and cervical spine disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service.,The Veteran was also denied TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's VR&E benefits were discontinued due to her failure to cooperate with extended evaluation and the determination that achievement of a vocational goal is not currently reasonably feasible.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's cervical spine disability is related to his active service. The Veteran will need to be examined by VA to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed condition.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen a claim for service connection for a cervical spine/left shoulder condition is granted. The issue of service connection for the left scapular scar is remanded.