Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left leg, back, and neck disabilities due to insufficient evidence regarding their existence and etiology.

The Board has decided to remand both the neck disability and left knee disability claims due to new evidence indicating worsening of symptoms, including neurological abnormalities. The Veteran's statements about difficulty swallowing related to his neck surgery have also been considered.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining his service personnel records and any outstanding VA and private treatment records. The claims will be remanded to allow for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's neck disability, finding that it began during his active duty service and is related to parachute jumps he made while in the military.

The Board denied a rating greater than 20 percent for the appellant's service-connected cervical spine disability and an initial rating of more than 30 percent for his headaches. The claim for entitlement to TDIU was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his cervical spine disability and status post right pneumothorax were denied. The Veteran's service-connected sleep apnea was also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of cervical, right shoulder, and left shoulder conditions for further examination and opinion regarding their relation to service.

The Veteran's claims for cervical spine, left knee, and right knee disorders are remanded due to the need for additional examination and analysis under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and other issues are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's original claim for bilateral ear condition was denied in January 1980. New and material evidence has been submitted to reopen this claim.,The issue of whether new and material evidence has been submitted sufficient to reopen a claim for entitlement to service connection for a bilateral foot disability is remanded.,The Veteran's low back disability, including degenerative disc disease and spondylosis at L5-S1, is remanded for further evaluation.,The Veteran's neck disability, including cervical spondylosis and cervical, thoracic, and lumbar lordosis, is remanded for further evaluation.,The Veteran's neuropathy and/or radiculopathy of the right upper extremity is remanded for further evaluation.,The Veteran's neuropathy and/or radiculopathy of the left upper extremity is remanded for further evaluation.,The Veteran's neuropathy and/or radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is remanded for further evaluation.,The Veteran's neuropathy and/or radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and lumbosacral spine degenerative joint disease with disc protrusion are all denied initial ratings in excess of the currently assigned ratings.,Higher initial ratings for these conditions are not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development due to a lack of compliance with prior remand instructions regarding a VA examination by a neurosurgeon.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all listed conditions, and the Board has dismissed these cases as a result.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including obtaining medical records and workers' compensation records. The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability is also being remanded for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the issues of increased ratings for cervical spine disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to unresolved procedural or factual matters.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not incurred in or caused by his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of his knee disabilities and neck disability have been withdrawn. The Board has remanded the cases due to lack of available National Guard service records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current cervical spine disability is related to his military service. The examiner needs to review the Veteran's post-service treatment records and consider the onset of neck pain during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development and examination. The issues include cervical spine disorder, left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.