Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left hand, back, neck, and bilateral hip disabilities due to a lack of medical records from the Veteran's incarceration period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar degenerative disc disease and cervical spine strain due to inadequate examination findings regarding flare-ups.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical spine and bilateral shoulder disorders have been reopened. The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for various conditions, including cervical spine disability and atrial fibrillation, were denied. The right shoulder bursitis, right elbow disability, crush injuries to the left hand digits, and right knee medial meniscus tear received compensable disability ratings.

The Board denied a non-initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's cervical spine disability prior to March 28, 2011 and granted a 20 percent rating from that date forward.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have not resulted in significant occupational and social impairment, warranting a 50% disability rating.,VA has determined that the Veteran’s back disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher initial rating than 20%. The VA examination report is inadequate due to missing range of motion testing.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right leg, back, shoulder, and neck disabilities due to new evidence received since the last final denial. The claims are now pending for further examination and determination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to work.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder and left knee disorder were not shown until years after service, and the Board found no evidence of a link to service. The lumbar spine disorder is remanded for further review.,The Veteran's bilateral leg condition and obstructive sleep apnea are also remanded for further review.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for a neck disability and an increased rating for PTSD due to insufficient medical evidence on file. The Veteran needs to undergo additional examinations to determine the current severity of her disabilities and their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine condition was denied as new and material evidence had not been received. The Board found that the provided evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.,The Veteran's claims for service connection of low back disability, left knee disability, and heart condition (CAD) were reopened due to receipt of new and material evidence. However, the claims for heart condition (CAD) and right knee disability remain denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety, has been granted. The issue of service connection for a cervical spine disability is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for cervical spine DJD and thoracolumbar spine DDD as they have not been evaluated in over five years, and additional development is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for low back, cervical spine, right shoulder, right arm, and right-hand disabilities. The claim for a right leg disability is also granted. Service connection was denied for a rib cage disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar and thoracic degenerative disease, lower radicular group neuritis (right upper extremity), cervical degenerative disc disease with stenosis, and sciatic neuralgia (right lower extremity), are deemed to be severe enough to prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. However, the VA examinations were found inadequate due to lack of assessment on the effects of his medications.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to effective dates for service connection and increased ratings. The Board has determined that these matters are inextricably intertwined with the proposed changes in effective dates outlined in a previous rating decision, and thus cannot be decided at this time.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is not related to her active service and did not manifest during or within one year of active service.,The criteria for entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected left wrist tendonitis have not been met.,The criteria for entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for right wrist tendonitis have not been met.,The criteria for entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine have not been met.

The Board has decided that new VA examinations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's neck, shoulder, back, and hip disabilities. The claims for service connection will be remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for headaches and a higher disability rating for cervical myositis.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's current conditions were not shown to be related to his military service.,Service connection was also denied for intractable plantar keratoma of the right foot and left foot.