Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for cervical spine degenerative arthritis has been granted, with an effective date of August 2, 2012. The disability is rated at 20 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip disability and migraine headaches due to a lack of evidence of current disabilities. The remaining issues have been remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the issues of service connection for various disabilities, including cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and bilateral pes planus, must be remanded due to a lack of proper readjudication following previous remand orders. The Veteran's claims are related to his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for her service-connected cervical spine, left hip, and right ankle conditions due to the passage of time since the last examinations. The VA is required to provide additional examinations to assess the current severity of these disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee degenerative joint disease and cervical stenosis with arthritis and bone spur with residuals. The Veteran's left knee disability is remanded for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for myofascial pain syndrome, muscle atrophy of the right leg, and muscle cramping of the left leg. The claims for somatic dysfunction of the rib cage and deviated septum have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was rated at 10 percent prior to October 18, 2012 and at 30 percent from October 18, 2012 to September 17, 2015. The Board found no evidence of ankylosis or neurological deficits during this period, thus denying increased ratings.

The Board denied service connection for cervical and thoracolumbar spine disorders, finding no nexus between the current conditions and service. The VA examiners provided multiple negative opinions regarding a causal relationship.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, including cervical strain, is related to an in-service injury and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder and cervical radiculopathy are not service connected, as no VA examiner provided an opinion regarding their relationship to his thoracolumbar spine disability. The case is therefore remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for her low back disability is denied. The Board found that the objective medical findings did not support a higher rating, despite the Veteran's reported symptoms and functional limitations. Her claim for TDIU was granted as she met the schedular requirements and had service-connected disabilities rated at least 60% combined.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his residuals of a fracture of the cervical spine do not warrant an increased rating, and he was granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity secondary to this condition. The effective date for major depressive disorder has been set at January 20, 2012.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate examination reports and failure to address whether any service-connected disabilities aggravated other disabilities. The Veteran's cervical spine, bilateral shoulder, low back, radiculopathy of lower extremities, and hearing loss are all being examined again.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of cervical arthritis, finding that it was not caused or aggravated by his military service and is part of a preexisting injury.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disabilities due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between the conditions and service.,Service connection was also denied for right hip disability as there is no specific claim or issue listed in the decision.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, but remanded them due to insufficient evidence or further development is needed.

The Board has denied service connection for ischemic heart disability and diabetes mellitus, both presumed to be related to herbicide exposure. The claims are remanded for further examination regarding left shoulder, back, cervical spine, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, and bilateral upper extremity neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cervical strain, coronary artery disease, and sleep apnea disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including headaches, left and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, cervical spine degenerative joint disease, left clavicle fracture, left patellofemoral syndrome, and left foot Charcot joint, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, residuals of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, neck disability, sleep apnea, bladder condition (incontinence), and erectile dysfunction, have been denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to active service or events therein.