Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's current degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is related to a motor vehicle accident during service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and scoliosis, right knee strain, and left knee strain and torn ligament are being remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability, neck disability, lumbar spine disability, and right knee degenerative arthritis, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not incurred in or caused by events during active service.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine disability, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service injury. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has denied service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that it is not related to the Veteran's military service or his service-connected right and left shoulder disabilities. The rating for the right shoulder impingement syndrome with bicipital tendon tear, rotator cuff tear, and degenerative arthritis remains unchanged.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical degenerative disc disease and lumbar spondylosis, degenerative changes with disc extrusion and herniation due to a lack of adequate examination.,For all other issues on appeal, the Veteran is entitled to increased ratings.

The Board previously denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder. The Veteran appealed, and the Court granted a Joint Motion for Remand (JMR), directing VA to obtain medical records from January 1993 at Tripler U.S. Army Medical Center related to a car accident. This decision is remanded to obtain these records.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for tension headaches due to a lack of development and need for an addendum opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a gynecological disability, including cervical cancer that led to a hysterectomy, finding no evidence linking her current condition to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder and an initial rating of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board has granted the petitions to reopen claims of service connection for cervical spine disability, thoracic spine disability, and right shoulder disability. The new evidence submitted includes diagnoses of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his cervical spine disability was denied. Prior to May 22, 2019, the rating remained at 10 percent. From May 22, 2019 onwards, a rating in excess of 30 percent is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand requests. The cervical spine and left shoulder disabilities are being reviewed again as they may be related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical strain, left shoulder strain, and right shoulder strain as these conditions are found to have originated during active duty.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative disc disease cervical spine is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, to include posttraumatic stress disorder, is remanded.

Service connection is granted for Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) of the pelvis.,Service connection is granted for a depressive disorder, secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted as service connected. The lumbar, cervical, and left hip disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and bilateral knee and ankle conditions are not service-connected.,The Veteran's respiratory condition, cervical spine condition, and erectile dysfunction may be related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral and cervical spine disabilities, finding that the evidence does not support a link between the Veteran's active duty service and his current conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, cervical spine disability, and migraine headaches due to incomplete verification of his Reserve service records. The claims are being returned for further development.