Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical and lumbar spine disorders, left and right knee disorders, and a skin disorder of the right hand due to incomplete STRs and insufficient medical opinions. Additional records are needed, and an examination is required to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings on an extraschedular basis for his service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that the symptoms are adequately addressed by the current rating schedule.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to obtain updated VA treatment records and new examinations. The issues include service connection for various disabilities, including left shoulder, cervical spine, inflammatory spondyloarthropathy (claimed as pain from skull to pelvis), bilateral hip, left knee, right knee, bilateral foot condition, obstructive sleep apnea, and hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's increased ratings for cervical spine desiccation with degenerative disc disease and arthritis, left cubital tunnel syndrome, and right cubital tunnel syndrome have been denied.,Earlier effective date claims for the increased ratings of cervical spine desiccation with degenerative disc disease and arthritis, left cubital tunnel syndrome, and right cubital tunnel syndrome have also been denied.

The Veteran's claims for right lateral epicondylitis, bilateral hearing loss, status post lipoma resection, upper thoracic spine scar, headaches (claimed as secondary to service-connected status post lipoma resection), sleep apnea, bilateral plantar fasciitis, calcaneal spur, and a cervical strain are being remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability diagnosed as progressive arthritis. The appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of other issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asthma, hearing loss, thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, left arm numbness, and headaches do not meet the criteria for service connection. The claims are being remanded to allow for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for a retrospective opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's cervical spine disability from December 31, 1991 to June 16, 2004. The effective date and rating assignment remain pending.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back and cervical spine disabilities, as well as evaluations for retropatellar pain syndrome of both knees. The Veteran's claim is being reviewed to determine if there is new evidence that could reopen her case, and an additional examination will be conducted to assess the nature and severity of her current conditions.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left shoulder, left wrist, cervical spine, and low back disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's complaints have been noted since service, but a definitive opinion is needed.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for PTSD and service connection for various spine conditions, as well as secondary service connection for radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities. The claims are being remanded to allow for further development.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and an increased rating for cervical spine disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date than March 1, 2016 for CRDP payments is denied because he did not have a combined disability rating of at least 50 percent until after February 25, 2016.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical/lumbar spine disability and granted service connection for pes planus of the left foot, both related to the Veteran's right foot pes planus.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disorders, as well as tension headaches and shoulder disorders secondary to a cervical spine disorder. The evidence did not show any in-service injury or illness that caused these conditions.,There is no indication of arthritis or other chronic diseases within one year post-service, making the presumption of service connection unavailable.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing service records, particularly those related to Active Duty Training and Inactive Duty Training.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The appeal was also remanded for further action on several issues.

Service connection has been granted for residuals of frostbite of the left and right lower extremities. The Veteran's cervical dystonia and GERD claims are being returned for further development.,The Veteran's cervical dystonia claim is being returned for a new medical opinion due to inadequate reasoning in the previous VA examination. His GERD claim is also being returned for an examination as there was no full evaluation of his condition.,Service connection for residuals of frostbite of the upper extremities and peripheral neuropathy are being returned for further development, including examinations to assess these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical osteoarthritis, left hand degenerative disease and radiculopathy, and right hand degenerative disease and radiculopathy. The Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.