Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted. The claims for service connection for myositis, cervical strain (neck disability), spinal stenosis, left knee degenerative arthritis, right knee degenerative arthritis, sinusitis, COPD, edema, GERD, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and nerve disability, an acquired psychiatric disability, and bronchitis have all been denied.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his cervical spine disability, TBI residuals (claimed as memory loss), and migraine headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's spondylolisthesis of the cervical spine is rated at 20 percent, and his tension headaches are not compensably rated. The Board found that neither condition warranted a higher rating.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection and effective dates for various disabilities, including neck disability, change in color in the hands, headaches, weakness in the arm and numbness in the fingers, penetrating muscle injury, left chest, painful surgical scar, left chest, surgical scar, left chest, peripheral neuropathy, chest wall, rib fractures, status-post thoracotomy, hypertension. The issues include seeking initial ratings for certain disabilities and obtaining effective dates for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the current severity of his cervical spine disabilities, sleep apnea, and other conditions.,The Veteran is also seeking a TDIU rating based on his multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the dates of active duty and National Guard service need to be clarified before further adjudication can occur. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical strain and segmental instability to include back injury, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. Service connection for hyperlipidemia, hypertension, left shoulder disability, neck disability, and foot disability is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a prostate disorder was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claim. Appeals for other conditions were denied as untimely.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, cervical spine, wrist, hip, knee, skin condition, Gulf War syndrome, and PTSD. The Veteran is asked to provide additional information about his treatment and stressors during service.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine, right hand, cervical spine, and left knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence establishing a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to service connection for various conditions, including right knee disability, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and psychiatric disorders. The appeals are currently pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and inadequate opinions. The Veteran is required to provide VA with any relevant medical records, including those from his in-service injury. He also needs to complete a VA Form 21-8940 regarding his employment status.

The Board has dismissed the appeals seeking increased ratings for nose fracture and headaches. The remaining issues of service connection for back, neck, and shoulder disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and rating determinations. The Veteran's right hand ganglion cyst claim is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a right hand ganglion cyst or disabling residuals thereof other than the service-connected scar from the ganglion cyst in service.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability, a back disability, and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of her low back disability, as well as her cervical spine disability. The claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral shoulder joint pain, neck pain, and hip joint pain. The Veteran's disabilities are not considered to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, coronary artery disease, hypertension, bilateral shoulder disability, neck disability, and left knee disability have been withdrawn. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions based on the continuity of symptomatology since the in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Board has denied service connection for COPD, sleep apnea, acid reflux/GERD, arthritis (including cervical spine and lumbar spine), and joint pain (including right shoulder, right elbow, bilateral hand disorder, and bilateral hip disorder) as these conditions are not related to active service or events therein.