Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for additional examination and review of medical records to determine if ratings in excess of those granted could be awarded due to new evidence showing additional clinical findings and diagnoses relevant to the Veteran's claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board denied his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for scar, status post spinal fusion, was dismissed. The claim of residuals of head trauma (claimed as dental trauma) has been reopened and is currently under consideration. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastroenteritis, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), respiratory disorder (recurrent aspiration pneumonia), cardiac disorder (atherosclerosis), acquired psychiatric disorder, residuals of head trauma, facial scars, bilateral eye disorder, cervical spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, bilateral elbow disorder (tendinitis), bilateral plantar fasciitis, and bilateral pes planus have been remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The appeals are granted in part, with some issues being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including a lumbar spine disability, neck disability, and foot disability. The VA is directed to obtain medical opinions regarding these claims.

The Veteran's cervical spine strain with degenerative changes and thoracolumbar spine strain, sacral strain with degenerative arthritis are currently rated at 20% and 40%, respectively. The appeal for increased ratings is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for TB residuals was denied. The Board found no evidence of active TB or TB related symptomatology during the pendency of the appeal. For TDIU, the Veteran met the criteria under 38 C.F.R. � 4.16(a) as he had two or more disabilities with at least one rated at 40 percent or more and sufficient additional disability to bring the combined rating to at least 70 percent. The Veteran is already in receipt of SMC benefits, thus TDIU was not granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for a cervical spine disability as secondary to his service-connected low back disability. The claims for PTSD and sleep apnea are remanded due to procedural deficiencies.

The Veteran's cervical degenerative disc disease and associated left upper extremity radiculopathy have been rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations.,The Veteran's service-connected left upper extremity radiculopathy has also been rated at its maximum allowable under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations to assess his cervical spine disability and associated radiculopathies.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, finding that there is no medical evidence linking his current condition to active service. The Board noted gaps in treatment records and the Veteran's lack of credibility regarding his claims.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the representative withdrew all claims on appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the cases due to concerns about the competency of the medical examiners who provided opinions regarding the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a pulmonary disorder, cervical spine disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The appeal regarding residuals of right wrist injury/surgery is REMANDED.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine disability, finding that it is less likely than not caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions from VA examiners regarding service connection for a cervical spine disability. The Veteran's statements and assertions will be considered, along with his medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), degenerative disc disease and arthritis, status post C4-C5 laminoplasty, degenerative disc disease and arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, and cervical radiculopathy, upper radicular nerve group, left upper extremity. The latter condition is also granted as secondary to service-connected degenerative disc disease and arthritis, status post C4-C5 laminoplasty.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and lumbar spine disability are granted service connection.,Service connection for the acquired psychiatric disorder is also granted, as it is secondary to his service-connected right knee, lumbar spine, and cervical spine disabilities.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted with an effective date of November 19, 2010 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied service connection for anemia/iron deficiency and a gynecological condition, including HPV and cervical dysplasia. The Veteran did not have a current disability for which VA compensation could be awarded.