Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions. The hearing loss, shoulder, cervical spine, and right shoulder disabilities may be related to service, but further examination is needed to determine this. Headaches and carpal tunnel syndromes require opinion regarding their relationship to service or other conditions.

This decision grants initial compensable ratings for gout and degenerative arthritis, right ankle prior to April 8, 2016, and from April 8, 2016. It also grants an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for gout and degenerative arthritis, left ankle. The decision denies initial compensable ratings for degenerative arthritis, left shoulder prior to April 8, 2016, and from April 8, 2016, as well as a higher rating for right shoulder rotator cuff tear with degenerative arthritis.,Entitlement to an increased initial rating in excess of 30 percent for residual scars, pilonidal cyst excision, low back, coccyx area, right shoulder x4, and bilateral feet is granted.

The Veteran's left ankle disability and PTSD have been granted service connection. The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the neck, low back, and hypertension issues.,The Veteran’s claims for cervical spine, lumbar spine, and hypertension disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and evaluation, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and its impact on his employment.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for PTSD is denied as there was no prior claim filed before July 23, 2012.,Service connection for a right foot disability and neck disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a neck disability as secondary to his service-connected low back disability, and remanded the cases for further development regarding hemorrhoids and left foot scars.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for SFW of both hands, bilateral hip disabilities, cervical spine disability, left knee disability and right eye macular hole with visual defect. The evidence received since the last final rating decisions raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection and TDIU due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's cervical spine disability is caused or aggravated by his service-connected right ankle strain and lumbosacral strain.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, but has remanded his claim for service connection for a left leg disability due to potential aggravation by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim of service connection for left arm and hand numbness was denied. An effective date of January 2, 2017, was granted for an increased rating in the Veteran’s lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with disc bulging.,An effective date of January 2, 2017, was granted for a separate compensable rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy. An effective date prior to March 13, 2017, was denied for an increased rating in the Veteran’s cervical spine degenerative arthritis with disc protrusion and stenosis.,An effective date of March 13, 2017, was granted for a separate compensable rating for right arm nerve impingement. An effective date prior to March 13, 2017, was denied for an increased rating in the Veteran’s cervical spine degenerative arthritis with disc protrusion and stenosis.,A rating of more than 10 percent for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with disc bulging since January 2, 2017, and a rating of more than 10 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy since January 2, 2017, were denied.,A rating of 30 percent for GERD since March 13, 2017, and a rating of 50 percent for PTSD since March 13, 2017, were granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depression, cervical spine conditions, and left shoulder injury, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, cervical spine disorder, and hypertension due to inadequate examination and development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities due to new evidence submitted since the last denial. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, headaches, hypertension, cervical spine DJD, right hand DJD, left hand DJD, right ear hearing loss, and right toe impairment have all been denied.,There is no current diagnosis of sleep apnea. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of cervicogenic headaches related to service. Hypertension was not shown within the applicable presumptive period.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability and a headache disability, both claimed as secondary to the Veteran's cervical spine disability.,The cause of death due to cardiac arrest was not attributed to any service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and clarification of the Veteran's claims, particularly regarding his cervical spine disorder and thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his active duty service.,The Board also denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, finding that it is not related to his in-service cold injury residuals.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and an opinion regarding whether her service-connected disabilities render her permanently and totally disabled.

The Veteran's skin growths claim was denied. The cervical spine disability and anxiety disorder, NOS with PTSD symptoms ratings were restored to their previous levels. The right ankle disability rating remains at 10%. Effective dates for the increased ratings are not granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, prickly heat of back with tinea cruris (skin disability), and migraine headaches have been granted effective April 19, 2013.,The Veteran's claim for a separate compensable rating for right knee lost extension has also been granted effective April 19, 2013.