Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2022

The Veteran's right ankle disability is secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and heel spurs. The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a right ankle disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination. The issues include lumbar spine, cervical spine, left knee, right ankle, and rectal conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle and neck disabilities, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a request from his representative for information regarding the qualifications of the VA examiner who provided an opinion in September 2021. The appeal is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board dismissed all service connection claims and rating determinations for various conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome, insomnia, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, gastritis with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), bilateral hearing loss, and obstructive sleep apnea. The Board also remanded claims for sinusitis, an autoimmune condition (claimed as fibromyalgia), a respiratory disability, and OSA.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to incomplete development and need for additional opinions. The main issues are related to eye disabilities, diabetes, hypertension, knee disabilities, and a neck disability.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for initial ratings in excess of 20 percent prior to June 1, 2015, and in excess of 30 percent from that date, for degenerative disc disease cervical spine; and entitlement to an initial compensable rating for scar, status-post spinal stimulator installation. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for thoracic outlet syndrome, left side.

The Veteran's PTSD, thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and obstructive sleep apnea have been granted service connection. A rating of 70 percent has been assigned for PTSD since January 11, 2012.

The Veteran's cervical disability is not found to be secondary to his service-connected traumatic brain injury (TBI). The claim for Parkinson's disease due to contaminated water exposure at Camp LeJeune and secondary to TBI was also denied.,There is no evidence of the Veteran serving at Camp Lejeune, which would allow for a presumption of service connection based on contaminated water exposure.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, lumbosacral strain (back trauma), cervical strain (neck pain), and right knee disabilities.,There is no evidence of a current disability in any of these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that they are not related to his in-service conditions or aggravated by his service-connected left shoulder and right elbow disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's neck disability and neuropathy claims. The issues of service connection for LLE and RLE neuropathy are also being deferred pending resolution of the back disability claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy due to outstanding treatment records from the Salem Vet Center not being obtained.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a neck disability and bilateral pes planus due to inadequate VA examination reports. The Veteran's hearing testimony was not adequately addressed, and his self-treatment of foot pain in service is not considered.

The Board found no evidence of a cervical spine, low back, or left knee disability during service and denied service connection for these conditions.,The Veteran's complaints and treatment records post-service do not establish a direct link between his current disabilities and military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further opinion regarding whether the Veteran's cervical spine condition was aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right ankle, hand, knee, cervical spine, and thoracolumbar spine disabilities. The cases are to be reviewed with a focus on determining whether these conditions are related to active service.

The Veteran's appeals regarding the January 2006 rating decisions denying a neck disability, back disorder, and head trauma were dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are granted. However, his claim for valvular heart disease must be remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine if it was aggravated by hypertension during service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his cervical spine disability was denied as the evidence did not show ankylosis, which is required for a higher rating. The current 30 percent rating remains in effect.