Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to August 10, 2016, for the grants of service connection and TDIU/DEA benefits are being remanded due to inextricably intertwined issues.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for neck disability, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), sinusitis, respiratory disability, and psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, have been dismissed. The VA has remanded the issues of service connection for sinusitis, respiratory disability, IBS, and PTSD.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for pseudofolliculitis barbae, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, left heel spur, and erectile dysfunction have been withdrawn. The Board has not found a compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae.,The Veteran’s acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) is remanded for further examination and opinion. His right ankle tendonitis and bilateral knee disabilities are also remanded for additional examinations to determine the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the appeal is granted in part. The extension of temporary total rating for left shoulder surgery beyond February 1, 2016 remains denied. The appeals for right shoulder, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disabilities are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection and nonservice-connected pension due to insufficient medical opinions regarding his cervical spine disability and the combined effect of multiple disabilities on his employability.

The appeal was dismissed because the appellant requested to withdraw his appeal.

The Board denied the petitions to reopen previously denied claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, claiming as back pain. The appeal is remanded due to a lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions were denied as there was no evidence showing a nexus between his active service and the claimed disabilities, except for bilateral toenail removal which is not considered etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance for the 2015 calendar year is being remanded due to incomplete information regarding the type of brace he received and its impact on his clothing.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine strain and degenerative changes, as well as thoracic spine arthritis, finding that the evidence did not support a causal relationship to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings were dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is now rated at 30 percent effective September 5, 2013. His lumbar spine disability was initially rated at 10 percent from November 26, 2014 and increased to 20 percent since June 13, 2018.

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for herniated disc; cervical spine, with degenerative disc disorder is granted. The Board finds that there is new and material evidence to support reopening of this claim. However, the claim remains remanded as further development is needed regarding both conditions.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded the issue of an initial compensable rating for cervical dysplasia with bacterial vaginosis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome right wrist, claimed as peripheral neuropathy right upper extremity; carpal tunnel syndrome left wrist, claimed as peripheral neuropathy left upper extremity; and traumatic brain injury are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions from previous VA examiners and requests for additional evidence. The Veteran's cervical spine disability is being evaluated for direct service connection, aggravation by a service-connected condition, or as new and material evidence.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, cervical spine disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorder, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, muscle spasms, sleep apnea, and hypertension.,No new evidence was presented to reopen previously denied claims.

The Veteran's combined tension/migraine headaches are currently rated at 50 percent, effective March 13, 2006. The Board has granted a higher rating for this condition.,The Veteran is entitled to a temporary total evaluation following her right first great toe cheilectomy due to the need for convalescence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims to reopen for service connection of migraine headaches, cervical spine disability, right shoulder disability, and obstructive sleep apnea. The claims are remanded for further examination regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability had its onset in service and is at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability is granted.