Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hip, knee, and cervical spine disabilities as secondary to a lumbosacral strain due to conflicting medical opinions and lack of recent VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU due to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is dismissed as his PTSD, which he claimed for TDIU, has been rated at 100% since June 30, 2010. The issue of service connection for GERD is also dismissed as the benefit sought on appeal has been granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran's representative.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the Veteran's left knee disability. The claims of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine and cervical spine remain in dispute.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating issues require additional examinations and evidence to determine the etiology of his disabilities, as well as the appropriate disability ratings. The appeal is being remanded due to incomplete records and potential new evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical strain, also claimed as neck strain due to inadequate VA examination and failure to address certain theories of etiology.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his claimed conditions, as the VA examiner did not adequately address whether he has a qualifying chronic disability or medically unexplained multisymptom illness.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are granted, and the Board finds new and material evidence to reopen these claims. The remaining issues of back disability, neck disability, ED, residuals of groin injury, and headaches are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches, to include as secondary to a cervical spine/upper back disability on a substitution basis. Service connection was denied for the cervical spine/upper back disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate May 2017 VA examinations concerning his cervical spine and right shoulder disabilities. The AOJ is required to procure new examination reports in which an examiner opines about the extent of functional limitations during flare-ups.

The Board has found that additional development is necessary to comply with VA's duty to assist before a final adjudication of the Veteran's claims can be accomplished. The Veteran’s service treatment records show treatment and diagnoses for some of the claimed conditions, but there are gaps in her medical history since she left active military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and new evidence. The Veteran is seeking service connection for left elbow strain, right arm/elbow disability, and cervical radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 18, 2013 for tinnitus was denied as there were no earlier claims filed.,Claims for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and left upper extremity radiculopathy were dismissed due to lack of appeal within one year of the assigned effective dates.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 7, 2012 for bilateral knee osteoarthritis was also dismissed as there were no earlier claims filed.,Claims for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), pseudofolliculitis barbae, left shoulder disability, and left arm disability are remanded due to the need for additional evidence.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbar spine disability is remanded as there may be outstanding VA treatment records that have not been associated with his claims file.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for cervical spine disability is also remanded, and a psychiatric examination is needed to determine the relationship between current psychiatric disorders and service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for cervical spine disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions. Service connection for basil cell carcinoma is stayed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin condition and cervical spine disability due to inadequate compliance with prior remand instructions. The Veteran is presumed to have developed these conditions during his service in the Persian Gulf War.

The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed disabilities, including multiple myeloma and diabetes mellitus type II, are not related to an undiagnosed illness or a Gulf War syndrome. The VA examiner concluded that these conditions have known etiologies unrelated to service.

The Board denied the claims for service connection for Crohn's disease, ankylosing spondylosis of the cervical spine, and ankylosing spondylosis of the thoracolumbar spine, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and military service.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is related to active service and service connection for this condition has been granted. The cervical spine and bilateral foot disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee condition and cervical spine condition due to unclear etiology of his symptoms, which may be related to his service-connected fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches has been reopened, and the Board finds new and material evidence. The case is remanded to obtain a VA examination to determine if his current headache condition is related to service-connected disabilities. Other claims are also remanded for increased ratings and TDIU determination.