Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence filed by the Veteran and incomplete records from his Army Reserve service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical spine disability and associated migraine headaches has been reopened, with the grant of a 100% rating effective September 16, 2016.,Service connection for migraine headaches was granted, with a 100% rating effective September 16, 2016.

The Veteran's left shoulder and cervical spine disabilities are to be re-evaluated as the initial rating decisions were not clear on this point.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his service-connected adjustment disorder with depressed and anxious mood, left shoulder strain, lumbar strain, cervical strain with degenerative joint disease, and right ankle disorder have been granted. However, the claims for higher initial ratings for these conditions are being remanded due to insufficient examination information.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical degenerative disc disease and residuals of a left ankle disability due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran is also requested to provide any relevant private medical records.

The appeal of the issue of an increased rating for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine is dismissed.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is denied.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence, but has remanded them for further development as there is insufficient evidence to determine if any of the claimed conditions are related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The neuritis of the bilateral lower extremities claim was denied as there is no evidence of a disability prior to July 14, 2016. Service connection for cervical spine, headache, and bilateral hand conditions were also denied due to lack of medical evidence supporting their relationship with the Veteran's service-connected low back disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the Veteran not having hearing loss for VA purposes. The claims for service connection of other conditions are remanded as there is insufficient evidence and a need for further examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for degeneration of the cervical intervertebral disc (claimed as neck condition) and granted it, finding that there is competent and probative evidence showing the Veteran's current disability manifested in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings are being remanded due to the failure of VA to contact him at his new address in Georgia. The examinations scheduled for June 2018 have not been conducted, and a copy of the Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) was sent to two prior addresses in South Carolina.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to the need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be causally related to service. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to insufficient evidence in the record, including discrepancies between VA examiner findings and private physician diagnoses. The Veteran will be afforded another examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current heart disability, as well as initial evaluations for his cervical and lumbar spine disabilities and migraine headaches.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, low back disability, and cervical spine disability. The RO denied these claims previously but new evidence has been submitted that relates to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate the claims.

The Veteran's cervical spine, right elbow, left shoulder, right shoulder, left hip, right hip, left knee, and right knee disabilities are all granted as service connected.,The Veteran's tinnitus is also granted as service connected.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing documents and a need to rebuild his claims file. The issues include lumbar, thoracic, cervical, right knee, erectile dysfunction, headaches (claimed as cephalgia), left hand disability, right hand disability, paresthesia of upper extremities, sciatic pain in lower extremities, and an acquired psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's appeal for prostate cancer has been dismissed.,The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, cervical spine disability, and right shoulder disability have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence.

The Veteran's discharge from active duty was not due to a service-connected disability, so he is only eligible for Chapter 33 Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits at the 60 percent rate.