Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeals for further development due to incomplete examinations and inconsistencies in the medical evidence. The appeals include claims for increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities, as well as a claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine disability, finding that it was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period. The disability is also not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since August 9, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected generalized anxiety disorder with insomnia has been granted, and he is now rated at 50 percent.,The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for lumbar spine condition, right lower extremity shin splints, and left lower extremity shin splints due to lack of a fully adequate VA examination.

The Board has denied service connection for various knee, back, neck, shoulder, and foot disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has denied a temporary total rating for diffuse herniated disc L4-L5 with degenerative osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine due to lack of treatment related to service-connected disability. The claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for cold weather injury residuals of the bilateral hands is denied.,Compensable initial ratings for right and left shin splints are denied.,Service connection for residuals of an injury to the tailbone, neck disability, left shoulder disability, back disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, right foot plantar fasciitis, insomnia, and vertigo is remanded.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from July 21, 2015 to November 20, 2019 due to his service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection for lumbar spine disability and neck disability. The Veteran's PTSD remains at a 70% rating since September 5, 2017. Tinnitus is not rated higher than the current 10% due to lack of separate evaluations for each ear.

The Board has remanded the claims for sleep apnea, right knee disability, neck disability, left upper extremity neurological disability, and right upper extremity neurological disability due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's forehead and left forearm scars are granted initial 10 percent ratings.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for bilateral shin splints, MDD and GAD secondary to PTSD, and migraine headache disability secondary to PTSD is granted.,Service connection for gastroenteritis, chronic bronchitis, and cervical dysplasia is denied.

The Board has ordered a new VA spine examination to determine the current nature and severity of the service-connected cervical spine disability due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a cervical spine disorder, bilateral foot disorder, and sleep disorder due to outstanding private treatment records and inextricably intertwined issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and inadequate opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed neurological condition. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional pertinent medical records, including from Cooper University Hospital and Kennedy Health System, and to provide an adequate opinion on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed neurological condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have met the percentage requirements for a TDIU since June 19, 2017 and prevent him from performing gainful employment.

The Veteran's cervical spine, left shoulder, right shoulder, left knee, and right knee disabilities are granted as service-connected based on direct evidence linking them to his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the inadequacy of the May 2017 VA examination and the need for a new examination to assess the current severity of her service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board has decided that the reduction in the Veteran's cervical spine disability rating is improper and remands for further evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for upper back and cervical conditions, as secondary to head/face injuries. The VA Form 10182 was submitted late, but the April 2019 statement of the case is considered the decision on appeal.

The appeals for hearing loss, tinnitus, and a back disability are dismissed as the Veteran's claims were improperly docketed under the AMA.,The appeals for neck, left shoulder, right shoulder, left knee, and right knee disabilities are also dismissed due to improper docketing under the AMA.