Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2021

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for upper back and left scapular pain, deviated nasal septum, cervical spine disability, and acquired psychiatric disability are denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities related to active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for neck disability, left and right knee degenerative arthritis, and back disability. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were related to in-service injuries.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is rated at 20 percent effective May 14, 2013. The neck disc problem (degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine) is rated at 20 percent. Post-traumatic headaches are rated at noncompensable. TBI is rated at noncompensable. Service connection for left knee disorder and left elbow disorder is denied.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and increased ratings for cervical spine and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy disabilities prior to the promulgation of this decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted, rendering the appeal moot. The Board dismissed this issue as there is no justiciable issue before it.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current cervical spine disability and his military service. The Board also found insufficient evidence to establish secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate opinions regarding his neck disability and bilateral foot disability.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spondylosis and lumbosacral strain, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are due to an in-service fall.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to address the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and psoriasis. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran's sleep disturbance is already considered in his service-connected major depressive disorder, and there are no separate sleep disabilities capable of service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and left arm disability is remanded due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, but denied service connection for residuals of a wound to the back of head (TBI). The Veteran's current spinal conditions are considered at least as likely as not related to his active service. However, there is no evidence linking the Veteran's TBI to his service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations in excess of the current ratings for tinnitus, exercise-induced asthma, migraine headaches, lumbago with L3-L4 disc herniation, and cervical spine, cervicalgia status post fusion C5-C6 with disc bulging and stenosis is remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus remains denied as there are no exceptional circumstances that warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and TDIU due to lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or disease related to his current condition, as well as insufficient evidence linking any current disabilities to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, bilateral shoulder, and right hip disorders as they are not shown to be causally or etiologically related to his military service.,Service connection was also denied for erectile dysfunction, sleep disturbances, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, radiculopathy of the upper extremities, and GERD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, and neck disability due to inadequate development of his periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA).

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and lumbar and cervical spine conditions are remanded for further evaluation due to the need for new VA examinations.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim for service connection for a heart condition, but has remanded it due to insufficient evidence. The neck and head claims have also been remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for his service connection to right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, and bilateral shoulder conditions. The Board found that there was no factual ascertainable increase in disability within a year prior to the date of the claim.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for skin rash and granted service connection for tinnitus. Service connection is remanded for cervical spondylosis without myelopathy.