Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's attorney has withdrawn the appeals for service connection for shoulder and neck disabilities, as well as a higher rating for mood disorder. The Board has dismissed these appeals.

The Board has received additional relevant evidence and is remanding the cases for readjudication.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder and lumbar spine disorder are not service-connected. The claims for chronic bronchitis and COPD have also been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea, cervical spine disability, and low back disability are not related to service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left shoulder, cervical spine, and spine disabilities as well as his hearing loss. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to assess the severity of these conditions and determine if there is additional functional loss during flare-ups. His TDIU claim will also be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the severity and nature of his service-connected thoracic spine disorder, as well as any cervical spine disorders, including degenerative joint disease. The VA will conduct a physical examination and provide an opinion regarding the current severity and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and new evidence. The issues include fibromyalgia, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and a headache disorder.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at a 60 percent disability rating, effective from the date of this decision. The issue of entitlement to TDIU has been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of cervical/thoracic sprain and migraine headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including cervical spine condition, thoracic spine condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, degenerative joint disease of the ankles, muscular disorder, diabetes mellitus, and multiple sclerosis, have all been denied. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disk disease of the cervical spine, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to an in-service injury and noting inconsistencies in the Veteran's testimony regarding when he first experienced symptoms.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings of chronic lumbosacral strain, cervical spondylosis, and residuals of Morton's neuroma, left foot due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient opinions regarding his ankle, knee, hip, shoulder, and neck conditions. The Board also notes that there is a need for an opinion on whether ischemic heart disease is related to PTSD.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated VA treatment records, determine the Veteran's employment status since December 2012, and provide the Veteran with appropriate VA examinations to assess his cervical spine disability and all service-connected disabilities. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and atrial fibrillation. Service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board has remanded several issues for further examination and opinion, including service connection claims for upper extremity neuropathy, left knee disability, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and right knee arthritis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 22, 2016.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, characterized as degenerative disc disease, herniated nucleus pulposus, and cervical spine C5-6, is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a higher rating due to lack of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right acromioclavicular joint degenerative changes, lumbar spine degenerative changes, and cervical spine degenerative changes with right upper extremity radiculopathy as there was no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and service.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeals for the claims of service connection for an eye disability, bladder disability, loss of sense of smell, and loss of sense of taste. The Board dismissed these issues as a result.