Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for right ear hearing loss, left knee and right knee disabilities, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, hypertension, and TDIU. The reasons include the need for additional VA examinations and treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar and cervical spine disabilities were denied as the evidence did not show that his conditions warranted a higher rating based on current medical examination findings.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, neck disorder, back disorder, left shoulder disorder, and left leg disorder due to new theories of causation introduced during a hearing. The case is being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability and ulcer disorder. The case is now back before the Board for further review.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, heart disorder, hypertension, cervical spine disorder, and lumbar spine disorder due to additional development being required.

The claim to reopen the issue of service connection for a left leg disability is granted. The claims for service connection for OSA, right leg disability, eye disability, low back strain, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, erectile dysfunction (ED), prostate cancer residuals, and coronary artery disease are denied.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of a current diagnosis and insufficient evidence linking any diagnosed conditions to service.

The Board denied service connection for a neck condition, left arm condition, headaches, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder ankylosis.,There is no current diagnosis of a left arm condition or bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records, which may contain relevant medical information.

The Veteran's service-connected back and neck disabilities render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's neck injury residuals, including his degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine. The claim was based on continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spondylosis and lumbosacral strain.,Service connection is also granted for sleep apnea, but only on a secondary basis to the Veteran's service-connected traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examination reports and incomplete medical opinions. The Veteran is required to provide updated VA treatment records, submit any positive private medical opinions, and undergo a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine, cervical spine, left shoulder strain, and PTSD rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation during the specified periods.

The Board has denied compensation for right trochanter fracture, thoracolumbar spine disorder, and cervical spine disorder under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to the lack of evidence showing that these conditions were caused by VA care.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition is not related to service and the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that it began during active duty.,There is no evidence of peptic ulcer disease in service or at any time since, thus service connection cannot be established.,Throughout the appeal period, the Veteran experienced frequent headaches but there were no prostrating attacks. The current evaluation for headaches remains denied.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy was not manifested by severe symptoms prior to November 27, 2019 and has been granted a compensable evaluation since then. Service connection is denied before that date.,Erectile dysfunction has not been shown to be related to service or any other condition. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction claim remains denied.,Service connection for lumbar strain, L5-S1 grade I spondylolisthesis was denied as the evidence does not show unfavorable ankylosis of the entire lumbar spine or IVDS with incapacitating episodes.,The Veteran’s GERD, gastritis, and hiatal hernia have been granted a compensable evaluation. Service connection is denied for these conditions prior to February 13, 2015 and in excess of 50 percent disabling thereafter.,Service connection for allergic rhinitis has not been established as the evidence does not show nasal polyps or significant obstruction of both nostrils.,Sinusitis was granted a compensable evaluation prior to February 13, 2015. Service connection is denied in excess of 50 percent disabling thereafter.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck disability, right hand arthritis, bilateral ankle arthritis, and left-hand arthritis. The decision found that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his failure to appear for scheduled VA examinations, and now requests additional private medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and inadequate opinions regarding whether his current cervical spine disability and lumbar radiculopathy are proximately caused or aggravated by his service-connected thoracic spine condition.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to February 9, 2017 is denied as he was employed full-time as a corrections officer at that time. The Board finds the VA examinations conducted in August and March 2015 inadequate due to lack of consideration of all procurable data and potential functional loss during flare-ups.