Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the hips, knees, and cervical spine as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and cervical spine disabilities due to functional impairment caused by his right shoulder impingement syndrome.

The Veteran's initial claim for left rotator cuff syndrome was granted with a noncompensable rating, and the appeal is now resolved in his favor.,For cervical spine degenerative disc disease from October 1, 2013 to February 1, 2017, the Veteran received an initial compensable rating of 10 percent. The claim for a higher rating remains pending.,From February 2, 2017 onwards, the Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease is rated at 10 percent and his appeal for a higher rating continues.,The Veteran was granted an initial compensable rating of 10 percent for degenerative changes of the thoracolumbar spine from October 1, 2013 to February 1, 2017. The claim for a higher rating remains pending.,From February 2, 2017 onwards, the Veteran's degenerative changes of the thoracolumbar spine is rated at 10 percent and his appeal for a higher rating continues.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted to warrant readjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease. The AOJ is instructed to conduct a de novo review of these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

Service connection for a depressive disorder is granted.,Previously denied claims for service connection for neck disability, head injury residuals, recurrent headaches, and diabetes mellitus are reopened.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for left shoulder and neck scars is dismissed. The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's right elbow, neck, and right leg disabilities were denied as they are not related to service.,The Veteran's back and left leg disabilities have been remanded for further examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for PTSD. The claims for left shoulder, lumbar spine, cervical spine, and ischemic heart disease disabilities are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a cervical spine disability, nerve disorder affecting the right upper extremity (RUE), and hypertension have been denied. The VA has assigned a 20% rating for diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal regarding effective dates earlier than August 7, 2016 for service connection for various conditions was denied.,The Veteran's appeals regarding initial disability ratings were either not addressed or remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical sprain, cervical spondylosis, and lumbar spondylosis, finding that these conditions began during active service.

The Board denied service connection for back, neck, and bilateral knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back and upper back conditions due to inconclusive objective medical evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back injuries, lower lumbar joint and disc degeneration, a cervical spine disability, bilateral cervical radiculopathy and paresthesias of the shoulders, arms and hands, neurogenic tics, extreme loss of weight, difficulty breathing, myositis, myopathy, ALS, and headaches. The claims are being remanded for further examination to determine if these conditions are related to exposure to herbicides or jet fuel and exhaust.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable disability rating for right eye hyperphoria prior to December 4, 2014 is dismissed. The appeals for increased ratings of right eye hyperphoria, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and cervical spine disc disease are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's thoracic spine disorder, cervicalgia, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, rhinitis, sleep apnea, hypertension, esophageal reflux, and anemia are all found to be related to service. The Veteran is also seeking increased ratings for his bilateral knees and hearing loss, which require further examination and evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disability and bilateral hand and arm numbness and tingling due to incomplete service treatment records and a need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on multiple service-connected conditions have been denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support higher disability ratings for his right shoulder, left and right knee disabilities, cervical spine condition, ankle disabilities, tinnitus, or scars.