Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for cervical strain with degenerative disc disease (DDD) is denied. The medical evidence does not support an increased rating as there was no ankylosis or intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS).

The Veteran's appeals seeking increased ratings for lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and right upper extremity radiculopathy have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in writing.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, cervical spondylolisthesis, right shoulder acromioclavicular degenerative hypertrophy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including bilateral deafness, a bilateral hip disorder, a neck disorder, a bilateral shoulder disorder, a back disorder, a bilateral knee disorder, a bilateral ankle disorder, a bilateral arm disorder, carpal tunnel syndrome of the bilateral hands, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder), hypertensive cardiovascular disease, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, a bilateral elbow disorder, and a bilateral foot disorder were not caused by or related to his active duty service.,The Veteran's claimed conditions did not manifest within one year after separation from service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and cervical spine disability due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's hypertension is being reviewed again as there are no treatment records during service, while his cervical spine disability requires a more thorough analysis of the in-service injury and its relation to current symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial evaluations were denied. The appeal is remanded for further development in several areas.

The Board denied service connection for chronic bronchitis, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.,Service connection was not granted as there is no medical evidence showing that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his time in active duty.

The Board has found that the VA medical opinions provided were inadequate and remanded for addendum etiology opinions. The claims are now being returned to obtain new opinions addressing the likely etiology of the Veteran's neck, shoulder, and back disorders.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for cervical strain, radiculopathy, and right index finger fracture have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has remanded three issues: cervical strain, clavicle condition, and TDIU prior to February 9, 2017. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being reviewed due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical opinions and new evidence. The claims include bone, cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, right hip, left hip, and left foot disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations and unclear findings regarding his in-service fall. The issues include service connection for various disorders, with a focus on determining whether the claimed conditions are related to active service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, acquired psychiatric disorder, right shoulder disability, right wrist disability (including carpal tunnel syndrome), cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability have all been denied.,There is no evidence of a current disability in any of the claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the VA rating decision did not include a medical examination for the Veteran's cervical disorder, right shoulder disorder, right hip disorder, and right inguinal hernia over the period from March 25, 2011 to June 11, 2020. As such, these ratings are remanded due to the lack of necessary evidence.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection. The Veteran's lumbar spine and neck disabilities are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is being remanded for a determination on whether it is related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a right shoulder, neck, and arm disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations. The Veteran's claims are pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development and medical opinions to address his spine disabilities, including cervical and thoracolumbar conditions, as well as his left shoulder disability. The claims are being returned due to incomplete or insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back disability and neck disability, finding that there is at least an even balance of evidence to support these claims due to the Veteran's competent and credible lay statements regarding his in-service injury and continuity of symptoms since discharge.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The cases of thyroid disease, bladder cancer, cervical spine disability, sleep apnea, and bilateral hearing loss are remanded.