Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for GERD and remanded the remaining issues due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, including arthritis and associated headaches, has been reopened. Service connection is granted for this condition. The claim of service connection for a right shoulder disorder, including osteoarthritis and rotator cuff tear, is denied. The appeal as to the right ear disorder (ringing) is dismissed due to the RO's award of service connection.

The Veteran's disability ratings for chronic cervical strain and chronic lumbar strain have been denied. The Veteran has a 10% rating for his chronic cervical strain, but the higher rating is not granted due to lack of forward flexion or range of motion.

The Board has remanded the case due to an incomplete August 2009 VA examination, which did not provide results for range of motion testing during flare-ups or note whether the Veteran experienced additional functional loss. The case is now returned for further review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spinal cord injury with residual bilateral upper extremity paresis, left ankle condition, right ankle condition, right knee condition, and residuals of a head injury. The decision was based on the lack of current disability for these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for vertigo and a neck condition due to the need for further examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's cervical strain and his service-connected lumbar spine condition, as well as the onset of any diagnosed arthritis within one year post-service.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and awarded a separate 20 percent rating for the Veteran's left knee disability with moderate lateral instability. The current 10 percent rating for limitation of motion remains in place.

For the period between October 9, 2014 and September 25, 2019, the Veteran's PTSD symptoms caused occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.,From September 26, 2019 onwards, the Veteran's PTSD symptoms have caused occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Board has found that additional development is needed due to new VA treatment records, and the claims are being remanded for further review.

Service connection is granted for a neck disability. The Veteran's right shoulder, bilateral heel, sleep apnea, hypertension, and GERD disabilities are not service-connected.,The Veteran's request to reopen his claims for service connection for psychiatric disability and neck disability has been granted.

Service connection for right ear hearing loss is granted.,An initial 30 percent evaluation for chronic sinusitis is granted. The Veteran's cervical spine disorder and headaches are remanded due to lack of recent examination.,The Veteran’s skin disorder (squamous cell carcinoma) is presumed due to herbicide exposure, but the relationship with his claimed lichen planus-like keratosis remains unclear. Cervical spine disorder secondary to lumbar spine disability is also remanded for further evaluation.,Entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent from May 7, 2012, for lumbosacral Strain (claimed as low back strain) is remanded.,Entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for unspecified anxiety disorder is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for the claimed conditions as they are not related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a cervical spine disability and an increased rating for his right knee arthritis, finding insufficient evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's claims for acid reflux, cervical spine disorder, upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, shoulder disorder, knee disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea have been denied as new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen these previously denied claims.,Service connection for costochondritis was also denied due to lack of a nexus between the condition and active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder and neck disabilities, both related to his service-connected left shoulder disability, have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and evidence collection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to unclear reasons and bases provided in the April 2018 decision. The issues are related as they all involve disabilities that pre-existed service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the Board's failure to consider it prior to August 16, 2015. The case will be reconsidered along with other pending claims.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including examinations to address his claimed conditions and their relationship to service. The claims are being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for low back, neck, and left shoulder disabilities as there was no evidence of a relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's active service.