Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for cervical spine disability and mechanical back syndrome due to insufficient examination findings. The Veteran needs to be scheduled for a VA spine examination to determine the current status of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including left and right thumb disabilities, cervical spine disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and lumbar spine disability. The VA examinations are needed to assess the current severity of his thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining recent VA or private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA records and arranging for an orthopedic examination to determine the likely etiology of his cervical spine/back disability.

The Board has determined that the appellant's cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities are not related to his active service, as there is no evidence of a causal relationship between these conditions and his in-service helicopter crashes. The preponderance of the evidence supports the denial of both claims.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and remand are necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including for an examination regarding his cervical and lumbar spine disorders.

The Veteran's claims for increases in ratings for his low back and left knee disabilities are denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for either disability at any time.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as there is no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes lasting four weeks or more.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the claims of service connection for cervical, left shoulder, and left hip disorders, as well as initial ratings for left and right knee disorders.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed. The Board also remanded several issues including increased ratings and new evidence claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, including whether they are caused or aggravated by a service-connected bilateral foot condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development to obtain medical records and for examinations to determine the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disability, prostate disability, urinary disorder, gastrointestinal (GI) disability, constipation, and colonic polyps.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar, thoracic, and cervical spine disabilities have been confirmed, along with associated radiculopathy. The appeal for increased ratings is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his service-connected lumbar DDD and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 40 percent for either condition.

The Board has determined that the appellant's urinary incontinence, right testicular disability, left ear hearing loss, cervical spine arthritis, and traumatic brain injury were not incurred or caused by his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disorder is currently rated at 20 percent, and his thoracolumbar spine disorder is rated at 10 percent. The Board finds the evidence supports a higher rating for both conditions.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia is rated at the highest available schedular evaluation, and no higher rating can be granted based on functional loss. The claims for increased ratings for asthma and service connection for sleep apnea, a neck disorder, left hand disability (held in abeyance), and a left shoulder disorder are remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle disability is due to an in-service injury and grants service connection for this condition. The cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities are less likely than not related to active service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a cervical spine disorder. The Board has determined that a new examination is needed to address the nature and etiology of any such condition present during her period of active service in 2010 and 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back, cervical spine, radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, bilateral shoulder, bilateral ankle, and bilateral foot disabilities did not manifest during active service or are otherwise related to such service. As a result, these claims for service connection have been denied.