Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2021

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disability, seizure disorder as secondary to cervical spine disability, right lower extremity neuropathy as secondary to cervical spine disability, and left lower extremity neuropathy as secondary to cervical spine disability. The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete records. The Veteran is required to provide additional private treatment records from Highland Family Chiropractic.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding his exposure to Project SHAD and its associated toxins. The claims are now pending again with instructions to obtain addenda to the March 2021 examiner's opinions.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

For the period prior to October 15, 2018, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.,From October 15, 2018, the Veteran was rendered unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate medical opinions and unclear diagnoses. The Veteran's cervical spine disability is related to service, but the VA examiner did not consider his self-reported symptoms. The left foot disabilities are also unclear in terms of which conditions are attributable to the service-connected fractures.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's low back strain, cervical spine strain, and radiculopathy of the upper extremities due to inadequate examination reports. The AOJ is instructed to schedule a new VA examination for the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition did not have its onset in service or within one year of service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a link between the Veteran's reported in-service injuries and his current cervical disability.

The Veteran's migraine headaches, cervical spine disability, low back disability, left knee disability, and right ankle disability are all remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between current disability and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are not related to his time in service, and therefore denied both claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if service connection can be established for bilateral hearing loss and a neck disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including sleep disorder, arches disability, right shoulder disability, hypertension, cervical spine disability, left knee disability (knee strain), and headaches have all been denied. The Board found no current disabilities related to service or secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for further development due to incomplete VA treatment records and need for a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's neck disability and left upper extremity nerve condition.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, PTSD, is remanded as there are conflicting opinions regarding its onset and relationship to service. Service connection for a neck disability and headaches is also remanded. Service connection for vertigo remains in dispute.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD disability was at least as likely as not (50 percent probability or greater) initially manifested during service and is otherwise related to his service, including documented low back pain and a reported Humvee accident. The effective date for the assignment of a 70 percent rating for PTSD is granted from July 21, 2016. The claims for neck disability, right knee disability, and low back pain are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to outstanding private treatment records.

The Veteran's cervical spine disease is granted service connection, and his right knee chondromalacia appeal for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent is dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy and cervical spine disability, finding no evidence of a nexus to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for cervical spine disability, left upper extremity disability (left hand), and right upper extremity disability (right wrist fracture residuals) have been denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against finding these disabilities began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.