Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck disability, bilateral knee disability, and lower back disability. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension and prostate condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to new evidence submitted at his hearing, as well as worsening of symptoms since his last VA examinations. The Veteran is also asked to provide authorization for VA to obtain private medical records from a pain management physician.

The Board has remanded three issues: 1) service connection for cervical spine osteoarthritis as secondary to service-connected left ankle disorder, 2) service connection for right shoulder osteoarthritis as secondary to service-connected left ankle disorder, and 3) an initial rating more than 20 percent from June 4, 2009 to February 15, 2011 and from September 1, 2011 and continuing thereafter for the Veteran’s service-connected left shoulder disorder.

The Veteran's claims for asthma or other lung disorder, diabetes mellitus, heart condition, bilateral arm neuropathy, bilateral shoulder, left elbow, cervical spine, and left hip conditions have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen these claims.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition was denied due to lack of evidence showing the condition was caused or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including coronary artery disease, irritable colon syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, arthritis of the left hand, and amputation of the distal tip of the left thumb have been denied. Additionally, his claims for increased ratings for thoracolumbar strain, left hip trochanteric pain syndrome and iliopsoas tendonitis, right hip trochanteric pain syndrome and iliopsoas tendonitis, cervical spine disability, headache disability, and obstructive sleep apnea have also been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment, and the TDIU claim is granted. The left elbow disability issue remains pending due to a lack of VA examination.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's disabilities, particularly those related to service connection. The claims for tinnitus and bilateral foot disability have been granted, but further examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for several service connection claims and the reopening of a claim, resulting in their dismissal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, right shoulder, bilateral hip arthritis, and dermatitis conditions due to inadequate etiological opinions in the current file. The VA is directed to seek Social Security Administration (SSA) records and obtain new medical opinions regarding the onset and progression of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for corneal degeneration in the left eye was denied. The claims for higher initial ratings for left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, chronic cervical spine strain, and left knee patellar tendonitis were granted with a 20% rating effective from December 14, 2014. The claim for service connection for left upper extremity neuropathy and PTSD was remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings for various disabilities, including right and left ankle disabilities, cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities, shoulder and knee conditions, and bilateral plantar fasciotomies. The appeals are being remanded due to outstanding private treatment records and a need for updated VA examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, finding that it is not secondary to her service-connected low back disability and there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within the applicable presumptive period.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the Veteran's neck and low back disabilities, as well as separate ratings for his upper extremity radiculopathy. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, left knee tendonitis status post cruciate ligament repair, and left ankle disability status post ligament repair have been denied. The evidence did not show the required functional loss or ankylosis to warrant higher ratings.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected allergic rhinitis. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were granted, with some issues being resolved in his favor. His cervical spine disability was rated at 10 percent from August 15, 2013 to June 20, 2016, and at 70 percent after March 23, 2015. His lumbar spine disability was also rated at 10 percent for the same period. The Veteran's major depressive disorder received a rating of 70 percent from August 15, 2013 to March 23, 2015, and a 100 percent rating after that date. TDIU was granted prior to March 23, 2015, but dismissed on or after that date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck disability and hypertension have been reopened. The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen these claims. However, the claims are still being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was not shown in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period. The Board found that his current condition is not related to an injury or disease incurred in service, but rather due to a waterskiing accident many years after separation.

The Board has denied service connection for left knee tenosynovitis and remanded the claims for lumbosacral (back) disability, cervical (neck) disability, and bilateral hearing loss due to lack of nexus between current conditions and active service.

The Board has denied service connection for HSV infection, cervical spine condition, and lumbar spine condition as the evidence does not support a nexus between these conditions and service.