Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine, right shoulder, left knee, low back, and left leg disorders as well as an eye disorder. The Veteran's claims were not supported by credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,Service connection was also denied for a deviated septum because there is no probative evidence of its occurrence during or immediately after service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine disorder and remanded issues regarding back injury, broken tailbone, and residuals of traumatic brain injury. The claims are pending further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that there is equipoise of evidence in favor of a relationship to service. The effective date remains pending as it was not assigned by the RO.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a cervical spine disability, a disability rating in excess of 40 percent for a lumbar spine disability, and TDIU prior to July 24, 2014. The case is being returned to the RO/AMC for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an opinion on whether the Veteran's cervical spine disability is related to active service or his service-connected left shoulder degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his cervical spondylosis was denied as the evidence did not show any limitation of motion or incapacitating episodes that would warrant a higher disability rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, hypertension, tinnitus, a cervical spine disorder, a left shoulder disorder, and a bilateral hip disorder. The evidence did not establish direct service connection for these conditions.

The claim to reopen the previously denied claims for service connection for a jaw disability and cervical spine disability is granted. The claim to reopen the previously denied claim for TDIU is remanded.

The Veteran's residuals of fractured T-5, T-12 and L-1 are granted a 20 percent rating prior to December 19, 2017. The Veteran's degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine is granted a 20 percent rating from December 19, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to June 10, 2008 was denied as the evidence did not show that he had difficulty obtaining and retaining employment due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, contact dermatitis, TBI residuals, gastrointestinal disorder, PTSD, shoulder disorders, hemorrhoids, cervical spine disability, migraine headaches, vision loss, testosterone imbalance, wrist and hand disorders, hip disorders, and insomnia are all remanded. Additionally, his claim for an increased rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, a residual head injury scar, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss is also remanded. His TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including hypertension, contact dermatitis, TBI, and gastrointestinal disorders. The Veteran also had his TDIU claim remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for HPV and cervical squamous cell dysplasia, as secondary to HPV, has been granted. The Board found that the Veteran contracted HPV during active duty service and developed cervical squamous cell dysplasia due to this infection.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a neck disability was reopened, and the Board found new evidence sufficient to reopen the claim. The VA examiner concluded that the current neck condition is less likely than not due to service, but an additional opinion considering the Veteran's lay statements regarding onset and persistence of symptoms during and since service must be obtained.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not require the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, as he can manage his daily activities independently.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis and remanded the issues of increased ratings for major depressive disorder, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to determine if his current disabilities are related to service.

This decision is remanded for additional development to obtain updated VA and private treatment records, including from a medical facility in Sedalia, Missouri. The Veteran should also be provided an opportunity to submit lay statements regarding her service-connected conditions and their impact on her ability to work.,The Veteran's kidney stones claim will require a new VA examination to determine if she had any such condition during service or is otherwise related to service. Her sinusitis and right hip disability claims will need a new VA examination, including the May 2012 private treatment record, to assess whether they began in service or are related to service.,The Veteran's GERD claim requires a new VA examination to determine its current severity. The cervical spine disability claim needs a new VA examination to evaluate her radiculopathy of the upper extremities and to assess any associated objective neurologic abnormalities under an appropriate diagnostic code. Her right elbow disabilities will need a new VA examination to determine their current severity.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disc disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to an injury sustained during active service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a cervical spine disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.