Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's cause of death was identified as ALL, which the appellant contends is related to her Gulf War service. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for DIC benefits due to the appellant's contention regarding exposure to environmental hazards during her Gulf War service.

The petition to reopen the claims for service connection for a right upper extremity disability, chronic pain disorder, acquired psychiatric disability (including depression), cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, hormonal imbalance (low testosterone), left upper extremity disability, and kidney disability is granted.,Entitlement to service connection has been reopened based on new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for increased ratings of his service-connected cervical spine disability, right cubital tunnel syndrome, and left cubital tunnel syndrome are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,VA is seeking to obtain private treatment records from Dr. R.F., which the Veteran has indicated he does not wish to pursue further.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for right knee degenerative joint disease was denied. The Board has remanded the issue to allow further development.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his cervical spine condition remains pending and is also being remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for a neck disability and remanded the issue of an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for chronic low back syndrome.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including heart disability, enlarged cervical lymph nodes, hypertension, and drop attacks. The claims are being reviewed due to insufficient evidence or need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to concerns about substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and remanded the remaining issues including increased ratings, PTSD evaluation, esophageal stricture rating, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board denied the Veteran's applications to reopen claims for service connection for spermatocele, bronchitis, and cervical spine bone spurs. The application for bilateral hearing loss was also denied as there is no indication of a current disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as sleep apnea due to in-service complaints. The VA examiners are asked to provide new opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability from September 1, 2008 to July 30, 2019 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings on several conditions has been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his appeal by his representative.

The Board has remanded the case for further development related to service connection for a cervical spine disability. The TDIU issue is also being considered, but it cannot be decided until the cervical spine claim is resolved.

The Board has restored a 30 percent disability rating for the Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc and joint disease associated with right knee Osgood-Schlatter’s disease, as the reduction from 30 percent to 20 percent was not proper due to lack of improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for retrospective medical opinions regarding additional loss in range of motion during periods of flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck disability, low back disability, right upper extremity numbness, left upper extremity numbness, and headaches due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is advised to provide medical records from his service period and a lay statement supporting his claims.

The Veteran's neck disorder is not service connected, and the initial disability rating for his tension headache from June 24, 2010 to June 14, 2016 was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral eye scars, cervical spine injury, left knee injury, right knee injury, lumbar spine injury, and right hip injury due to inadequate examinations.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical strain, lumbar strain, arthritis of the cervical spine, and arthritis of the lumbar spine. The claims are remanded due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the existence of current disabilities and the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right shoulder, cervical spine, and lumbar spine conditions due to insufficient evidence in the record. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is intertwined with these issues.