Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various disabilities such as bilateral leg disability, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disability. The VA examinations were insufficient due to missing VistA images of MRI scans from 2007-2008, and new examinations are needed.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of scars, service connection for neck disability, bilateral foot disability, and bilateral ankle disabilities due to incomplete information in the record.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the previous VA examinations and a need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right inguinal hernia, neck disability, back disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability due to incomplete examination and lack of consideration of lay statements.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to address the severity of the Veteran's cervical spine disorder, lumbar disorder, and bunions.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine with spinal stenosis and IVDS, as well as left upper extremity radiculopathy secondary to a cervical spine disorder. The Veteran's symptoms were not related to military service.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus type II was also denied due to lack of evidence of current disability or in-service occurrence.

The Board dismissed all claims for earlier effective dates prior to November 23, 1999 as the Veteran died during the appeal process.,No service connection was granted or denied in this decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to her service-connected disabilities, finding that she is not so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and assistance from another person.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical and lumbar spine degenerative diseases, as well as right and left lower extremity radiculopathies, all of which are found to be related to the Veteran's military service. The decision is based on medical opinions linking these conditions to his service.

The Board has determined that the original grants of service connection for myofascial pain syndrome, par cervical region; major depression with mood congruent psychotic features; nummular eczema; headaches; and lumbar strain were based on fraud. As a result, these claims have been severed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities. The current rating for PTSD remains denied.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations were not conducted as per remand instructions and thus, the claims for service connection are being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals on service connection claims for COPD, a right wrist condition, bilateral ankle condition, heart condition, and cervical and thoracic spine disability due to his withdrawal of these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to exposure to herbicides, as well as his TDIU claim. The issues include sinusitis, rhinitis, tremors of the upper extremities and head, cervical spine condition, lumbar spine DDD, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, GERD, and TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's cervical spine disability is proximately due to or aggravated by service-connected thoracolumbar spondylosis, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, or left midfoot chronic sprain.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for right shoulder strain and dismissed the remaining service connection claims due to lack of jurisdiction. The Veteran's right shoulder strain is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate medical opinions in the December 2012 VA examination report, and further development is required.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and unclear etiology. The Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as his peripheral neuropathy, are presumed to be related to Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine disability, lumbosacral spine disability, headaches, depression, and penis disability (ED) due to inadequate development. The claims are being returned for further examination and consideration.

The Veteran's PTSD and cervical strain were found to be service-connected. However, the Board has determined that additional evidence is needed for the claims of service connection for back disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and right foot disability.,PTSD was granted based on direct service connection. The neck disability may be secondary to PTSD, but a new opinion is required to determine if it can also be attributed to undiagnosed illness due to military service (Gulf War).