Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection of erectile dysfunction. The claim for right lower extremity radiculopathy is denied, and the claim for cervical spine strain as secondary to degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for left ankle disability, cervical spine disability, right shoulder disability, and left shoulder disability. The claim for acquired psychiatric disorder is also remanded.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability was denied in an August 2014 rating decision due to lack of new and material evidence. A remand is necessary as the Board needs to determine if there is a nexus between the service-connected disabilities and the cervical spine disability.,The right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities are also remanded, with the same reasoning as for the cervical spine disability.,The acquired psychiatric disorder claim is also remanded due to lack of new and material evidence. A remand is necessary to determine if there is a nexus between the service-connected disabilities and the psychiatric disorder.,A rating in excess of 20 percent for thoracic strain is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's ED. The issues include seeking an increased rating for a back disability, service connection for neck disability, chronic otitis externa, mumps, and ED, as well as TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, all other conditions, and effective dates. The Veteran's claims were not granted.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral foot condition and back conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional development, including verification of in-service stressors.

The rating reduction from 20 percent to 10 percent for cervical spine strain with degenerative arthritis status post C2 fracture was improper, and the 20 percent rating is restored.,Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected a fracture of the right radial styloid is denied.,Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected hypertensive heart disease with left ventricular dysfunction and an ejection fraction greater than 50 percent but less than 7 METs resulting in relevant symptomatology is denied.,Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for service-connected anxiety is denied.,Entitlement to a compensable disability rating for service-connected right wrist scar is denied.

The Veteran's cervical spine DDD is granted as service connected, with the Board finding that it was caused by an injury during his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for a bilateral shoulder disability, back disability, and neck disability due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran's lay history must be considered in determining whether service connection is warranted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's cervical spine disorder is related to his service-connected left clavicle fracture. The VA needs to obtain additional medical opinions and possibly new treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the previously denied claims.

The Veteran's service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disability, neck disability, and radiculopathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities are being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.,Specifically, the Board is seeking additional medical opinions on whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion and referred an increased rating claim for traumatic arthritis of the wrist and fourth finger of the left hand.

The Board has remanded the claims for a neck disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for cervical spine disability, hypertension, hypothyroidism, and diabetes mellitus due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran is required to undergo further examination to determine if his current disabilities are related to active service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, bilateral knee disorder, lower extremity numbness (lumbar radiculopathy), and depression.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The right wrist disability, bilateral hearing loss (left ear only), tinnitus, cervical spine disorder, COPD, IBS, OSA, left hip disorder, headaches, and seizures were not shown in service or are not causally related to service.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is considered to have started during his combat service in Vietnam and has been recurring since then. The Board found that the Veteran's current condition can be linked to his military service, thus granting service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical strain, lumbar strain, left knee condition, and right knee condition due to additional development being required.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a lack of compliance with previous remand instructions, specifically obtaining a VA examination. The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disorders are being reviewed for secondary service connection.