Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's tonsil cancer and service connection. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral elbow disability, left knee disability, cervical spine disability, and bilateral hip disability. The claim for sleep disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's right index finger disability and cervical spine degenerative arthritis were evaluated, but the Board found that a compensable rating was not warranted for either condition. The case is being remanded to further develop evidence.,For his cervical spine degenerative arthritis prior to March 5, 2018, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter, the Veteran's disability did not warrant a higher rating as there was no objective evidence of pain or functional impairment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of a VA examination for service connection claims, including cervical disc herniation. A new examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's current neck disability was caused by her service.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred at St. Mary’s Hospital on July 28, 2017 was denied as the treatment did not meet the criteria under 38 U.S.C. § 1725.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including lumbosacral spine disability with associated radiculopathy, cervical spine disability with associated radiculopathy, chronic sinusitis, epigastric disability, right zygomatic arch disability, and left shoulder disability. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in service or related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder and neck disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing that these conditions began during active service or are related to in-service injuries. The preponderance of the evidence is against finding such connections.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for a cervical spine disorder was granted, but the claim remains denied as it does not meet the criteria for service connection.,The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for right hand nerve damage was granted, but the claim remains denied as it does not meet the criteria for service connection.,The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for Hansen’s disease was granted. The evidence presented suggests that he may have a current diagnosis of Hansen’s disease.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depressive disorder. The Veteran's current diagnoses of depressive disorder were not linked to his in-service stressor or service-connected conditions.,Service connection was also denied for a lumbar spine disability. There is no evidence that the condition manifested within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, neck disability, and hypertension were previously denied. New evidence has reopened the claims for these conditions, but not for hypertension.,Service connection was granted for sleep apnea as secondary to major depressive disorder, and headaches as secondary to major depressive disorder.

The Board has determined that there are outstanding medical records relevant to the Veteran's claims and has ordered their retrieval. The Veteran is also asked to provide information about any additional private treatment records from his workman’s compensation claim.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for back and neck disabilities. The case will be remanded to obtain medical records, conduct VA examinations, and readjudicate the appeal.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40% and his cervical spine disability was reduced from 30% to 10%. The reduction in the cervical spine rating was denied as improper.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for posttraumatic headaches and neck disability were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on his symptoms, which are adequately contemplated by the current 30 percent ratings.

The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of the right hand, arm and shoulder in November 1970. The Veteran's claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.,Service connection was also denied for thoracolumbar spine disability and cervical spine disability, both related to rheumatoid arthritis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and the need for additional examinations. The issues include service connection for various conditions, including psychiatric disorders, knee injuries, foot conditions, and hypertension.

The Board denied service connection for a bladder impairment condition as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and denied entitlement to TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran was found unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for osteoarthritis of multiple joints (including bilateral ankles), spina bifida occulta, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and a cognitive disability claimed as short-term memory loss. Additional evidence is needed from SSA and VA medical records.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to address the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities, as well as whether they are caused or aggravated by his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his lumbar and cervical spine disorders, as well as bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. Additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service or other factors.