Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The appeal of the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed. The Board has also remanded his claims for gout, neck disability, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and hiatal hernia.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical neck condition, low back condition, and degenerative arthritis due to outstanding records not being associated with his electronic file.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, bilateral pes planus, and left flank pain and numbness has been reopened. Service connection is granted for the cervical spine disability but denied for bilateral pes planus and left flank pain and numbness.

The Veteran's claims for secondary service connection are remanded as the VA examiners did not adequately address whether her current disabilities were caused or aggravated by her service-connected left ankle disability.,The Veteran is seeking to establish that her cervical spine, right hip, bilateral knee, and right leg (claimed as leg length inequality) disabilities are related to her service-connected left ankle disability. The Board finds the VA examiners' opinions inadequate in this regard.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if any of the Veteran's claimed conditions are related to her military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence received after May 2016. The claims will be reviewed again and a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) must be issued.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, as well as secondary service connection for radiculopathy of both upper and lower extremities. The Veteran's radiculopathy is also found to be related to his already service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for his cervical spine disability with degenerative disc disease is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have changed over the course of the appeal, and there is no report on the collective impact of these conditions on his ability to work. The case is being remanded for further examination.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations and private medical records are needed to properly assess the Veteran's cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities, as current evidence is insufficient.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his chronic cervical strain was denied as the evidence did not show forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 15 degrees but not greater than 30 degrees, combined range of motion of the cervical spine not greater than 170 degrees, muscle spasms or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or spinal contour, or ankylosis of the entire cervical spine.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is granted a 100% rating, and service connection for various conditions including pulmonary disorder, cervical spine disorder, bilateral upper extremity nerve disorder, bilateral hip/thigh disorder, and bilateral foot disorder are remanded.

The claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if it is related to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical strain and left upper extremity radiculopathy, as they are related to his in-service motor vehicle accident. The VA will obtain all relevant records and provide a new examination to determine if these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is denied as there are no residuals of the in-service injury.,The Veteran's right rib disorder is denied as there are no current residuals from the in-service fracture.,The lung disorder due to chemical exposure is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability attributable to service.,The traumatic brain injury is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability attributable to service.

The Veteran's disability evaluations were reviewed, and the reduction in lumbosacral strain evaluation was found to be improper. The cervical strain and knee extension evaluations are remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of her cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, left hip, and right lower extremity neuropathy conditions. The claims will be further evaluated after obtaining additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous directives and for obtaining updated VA treatment records. A new medical opinion is needed regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disorder.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and likely cause of the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as they are currently diagnosed. The case will be returned for this purpose.