Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for a cervical disability and depression, finding no evidence of in-service injury or diagnosis related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before a decision on the merits may be made regarding increased disability ratings for the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and hip disability. The Veteran was last provided a VA examination relating to his service-connected disabilities in September 2014, nearly four years ago. In light of the Veteran’s assertions, new VA examinations are required so that the current nature and severity of his service-connected disabilities may be determined.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 30 percent, and his lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of these disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back and neck disability, finding that additional medical opinions are needed to determine if these conditions had their onset during active service or were aggravated by periods of inactive duty training.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a low back disability, neck disability, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy due to incomplete VA treatment records. The Veteran should be asked to provide information about his private treatment and any relevant VA records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded in several instances due to insufficient evidence or need for further medical evaluation.

The Board denied initial ratings in excess of 20 percent for bilateral shoulder disabilities, lumbar strain, degenerative disc disease (cervical spine), chondromalacia of the left knee, patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, and right ankle disability. The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not warrant higher ratings based on limitation of motion.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, effective July 11, 2018. The cervical spine disability remains at a 30 percent rating.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including shoulder, back, neck, hip, knee, foot, otosclerosis, tinnitus, heart, prostate, thyroid, diabetes, neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and acquired psychiatric disorders. The reasons given are that there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disorder, to include asthma and bronchitis. It also denied increased ratings for left shoulder strain and degenerative joint disease, cervical strain, and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is being remanded for a new examination to address his reports of in-service injuries and continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorder, and bilateral neuropathy of the upper extremities as there was no evidence of a chronic disease that manifested to a compensable degree in service or within a presumptive period.,There is insufficient evidence to establish a link between current hearing loss and tinnitus and military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or occurrence of the claimed in-service stressor.,The Veteran's cervical spine DJD did not meet the criteria for an increased rating to more than 20 percent, as his forward flexion was within normal limits and he did not experience incapacitating episodes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a cervical spine disability and bilateral knee disability due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has decided that a medical examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's cervical spine and bilateral knee conditions are related to his service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome (IDS) of the thoracolumbar spine, or if they are separate conditions.

The Veteran's deviated septum was incurred as a result of service. The cervical spine disorder is not shown to be etiologically related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, and his claims of secondary service connection are denied.

The Board has ordered additional VA treatment records to be obtained, as the current ones are incomplete. The claim will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left shoulder, cervical spine, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disorders due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is required to provide additional medical records and undergo VA examinations.