Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2021

Service connection for tinnitus is granted. The issues of service connection for a prostate condition and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disability, including ankylosing spondylitis. The examiner is requested to provide a thorough analysis of the etiology of the Veteran's disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and neck disabilities, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and active duty service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,Service connection for right shoulder disability and left shoulder disability are denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between his current disabilities and military service. Specifically, a VA examination is needed to determine if his cervical spine disability or right shoulder pain are related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and dismissed the claim of service connection for a cervical spine disability.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for low back and neck disabilities, as well as secondary service connection for bilateral leg and hand disabilities. The remand is due to deficiencies in the June 2014 VA medical opinion that did not adequately address the Veteran's lay statements of continuous symptoms since service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected cervical spine, cranial nerve, and bilateral hearing loss disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of recent medical evidence.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for a uterine disability and service connection for insomnia are remanded due to the need for additional development of her medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a neck disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a relationship between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for C5-C6 disc bulge, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left foot disability was dismissed as she requested to withdraw her appeal. The Board also remanded cases for respiratory, right foot, and upper back or neck disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, but denied service connection for a cervical spine disability. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to have onset in service and the Board places weight on his credible report of symptoms during service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his secondary service connection claims for various disabilities, including cervical spine, lumbar spine, left knee, left shoulder, bilateral hips, bilateral thighs, partial loss of use lower extremities, right upper extremity radicular pain, and femoral radicular pain.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and extraschedular considerations, as well as DIC benefits. The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative arthritis and postoperative left shoulder scar disability are currently rated based on their service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various disabilities, including heart disability, hypertension, nerve condition, bilateral shoulder and ankle disabilities, bilateral toe arthritis, and cervical spine disability. The claims are pending further development.

A 20 percent rating for cervical spine osteoarthritis was granted from September 3, 2013 to August 6, 2020.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating than 20 percent for cervical spine osteoarthritis since August 7, 2020 is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for individual unemployability prior to January 14, 2021 is dismissed because the claim has been fully granted and there are no further issues in controversy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims for service connection can be adjudicated on the merits. This includes obtaining VA treatment records, scheduling a psychiatric examination, and scheduling an orthopedic examination.