Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disability and additional records are needed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment from October 18, 2013. The Board has granted a TDIU for this period.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran's dystonia, thoracolumbar spine condition, and cervical spine condition associated with dystonia are all rated at 30 percent each.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hip disability was reopened and granted. Service connection is also granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder), but denied for left knee, low back, cervical spine, and right shoulder disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been received. The Veteran's cervical spine and right shoulder disabilities are being reviewed again, with an addendum opinion required regarding whether these conditions are aggravated by his service-connected TBI.

The Board has denied service connection for a cervical spine disability, hypertension, psoriasis, and migraine headaches. The case is remanded to determine the relationship between the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and her service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 and special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate are being remanded due to the complexity of the issues, requiring an independent medical expert opinion from an orthopedic surgeon.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis from August 21, 2006, but no earlier. The effective date of the grant of TDIU was determined to be August 21, 2006.

The Board has denied service connection for lumbar spine disability, weakness of the right and left lower extremities secondary to lumbar spine disability, chronic fatigue syndrome, and cervical spine disability. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.,Service connection was denied as there is no evidence that any of these conditions began during or were aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, lumbar spine, and left knee disabilities due to outstanding VA treatment records that have not been associated with the claims file. The Veteran is required to provide names and addresses of any relevant medical providers and updated VA treatment records are needed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates, but granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to June 16, 2015, and for ratings in excess of 40 percent thereafter has been withdrawn. The remaining issues - service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, and sacroiliac disabilities - are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee disorder and cervical spine disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to active service. Service connection for psychiatric disorder (PTSD) was also granted based on an established in-service stressor.

The Veteran's initial rating for a lumbar spine disability prior to September 9, 2013 was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating.,A rating greater than 20 percent from September 9, 2013 for a cervical spine disability was also denied due to lack of incapacitating episodes and existing range of motion findings.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical and lumbar spine due to insufficient evidence in the April 2010 VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, and neck disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active duty.

The Board has remanded multiple claims for earlier effective dates due to the receipt of additional relevant evidence.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and SMC were denied. The RO granted service connection for depressive disorder, GERD, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension with specific effective dates.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on several service-connected conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing her appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, hepatitis C, and arthritis due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's diabetes and hepatitis are being evaluated for potential secondary service connection with other conditions.