Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for chronic kidney disease, right shoulder arthritis, and cervical spine arthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities. The Veteran is also awarded special monthly compensation on account of need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board denied service connection for various knee, elbow, and hand disabilities, as well as a lumbar and cervical spine disability. The claim for left knee disorder was reopened due to new evidence, but the other claims were denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for increased ratings and new evidence. The Veteran is also being asked to provide National Guard records and updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition, low back condition, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder are all granted. The rating for the psychiatric conditions is increased to 70 percent.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates were denied as the evidence did not show that he met the regulatory criteria for a higher rating prior to May 30, 2017.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability did not manifest during service and is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to an in-service event, injury or disease. The Board also found insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran's brain aneurysm was caused by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's initial rating for migraine headaches is granted at a 30 percent level, effective October 8, 2008. The appeal for the cervical spine scar was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, depression, and lumbar spine disorder have been granted. The claim for cervical spine disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claims for service connection for a head injury and cervical spine disorder was denied. The Board found that the submitted evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims, and there is no medical nexus between the current conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is granted as service-connected.,Increased ratings are required for cervical spine DJD, right shoulder arthritis, sarcoidosis, and bilateral pinguecula.,Service connection is denied for fibromyalgia, polyarthritis (claimed as polyarthritis), chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, and sleep disability. Additional examinations are needed to determine the etiology of these conditions.,The Veteran's knee scars, right elbow disability, left great toe disability, low back disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral wrist disability, and bilateral ankle disability are remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and examination, including service connection claims for various conditions.

The Veteran's cervical spine djd with ddd is not service-connected as it did not begin during active duty and there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease. Service connection for GERD was granted.,Right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with the Veteran’s lumbar spine disability, which has been service-connected since July 6, 2011, is now effective as of February 26, 2013.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine and thoracic lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, but denied service connection for left hip condition, left upper extremity radiculopathy secondary to cervical spine, right upper extremity radiculopathy secondary to cervical spine, left shoulder impingement syndrome with arthritis, left knee osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease, and right knee osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (bipolar disorder), headaches, including migraines, and a low back disability. The other conditions remain denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation due to her mental and physical impairments.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to conflicting medical opinions and lack of consideration regarding pre-service onset or aggravation.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder was not incurred in service and is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for left shoulder, cervical spine, and lumbar spine degenerative joint disease have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for initial disability ratings higher than 10 percent for left shoulder degenerative joint disease, 20 percent for cervical spine degenerative joint disease, and 20 percent for lumbar spine degenerative joint disease have been remanded.

The Veteran's right, left knee disabilities, neck disability, back disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression), headaches, and ED have been granted service connection. A rating of 60 percent has also been assigned for the urethral stricture.