Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and arranging for a VA examination. The claim for DEA benefits is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability, including as secondary to lumbosacral strain, should be remanded for further development and opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development regarding his service-connected lumbosacral strain, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, right shoulder impingement syndrome, and right lower extremity sciatica.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and records.

New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection of various disabilities, including neck disability (cervical spine degenerative disc disease), lumbar spine condition, left elbow condition, right elbow condition, left hand numbness disability, right hand numbness disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and ischemic heart disease (IHD).

The Board has denied service connection for blood in urine, testicle disability (right hydrocele and right spermatocele), gout, and cervical spine disability as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's period of active service.

The Board denied service connection for chronic pain syndrome, cervicalgia (upper back condition), lower back disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to exposure to herbicide agents or asbestos.,Service connection was remanded for coronary artery disease.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and right hand disability due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were caused or aggravated by his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical and lumbar spine disorders due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset of her disabilities during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertensive heart disease has been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that it was incurred in or aggravated by active service.,Service connection for left knee and right knee disabilities have also been denied. The VA examiner found no evidence of continuity or chronicity of any bilateral knee condition, and there is no indication that the Veteran is competent to etiologically link his symptoms to service.

The Veteran's left hand condition, cervical condition, and right hand condition are not service connected.,Service connection for a heart condition, to include ischemic heart disease is remanded as the Board finds that VA examination is needed.

The Board has remanded several claims for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and issuing a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC). The issues include ratings for various disabilities related to TBI, cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, right shoulder, right knee, left carpal tunnel syndrome, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left thumb sprain, right thumb disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, eye disability, ulnar nerve paresthesias, ankle and wrist disabilities, nausea, constipation, and other conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical DDD due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for cervical spine disorder, right ankle disorder, bruised ribs and right kidney disorder, pain in eyes to include seeing floaters, tinnitus, poor blood circulation (hands & feet blotchy), migraine headaches, and bilateral hand tremors are all denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,The Veteran's claim for PTSD is also denied.

The Veteran's cervical spine, headaches (as secondary to a cervical spine condition), lumbar spine, and right ankle conditions have been granted service connection. The left ankle condition has not met the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, alcohol abuse disorder, anxiety disorder, gout, back disorder, and neck disorder are all denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's neck disability was initially rated at 10 percent prior to July 28, 2009 and increased to 20 percent effective July 28, 2009. The current rating of 20 percent is maintained.

The Board has granted service connection for TBI, migraine headaches, cervical spine IVDS and DDD, thoracolumbar spine strain, and TMJ disorder. The Veteran's conditions are deemed to have been incurred in the line of duty during his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, back disability, neck disability, and residuals of a traumatic brain injury due to new evidence submitted. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a VA examination to evaluate her cervical spine disability, with particular focus on functional loss and pain. The case will be reviewed again after considering any additional evidence submitted by the Veteran.