Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2018

The Board found that there is no persuasive evidence showing that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from light physical work and sedentary work, thus denying his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability is not manifested by forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 15 degrees but not greater than 30 degrees, or a combined range of motion not greater than 170 degrees. Therefore, an initial evaluation greater than 10 percent is denied.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to address the Veteran's claims for service connection of thoracic spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and left upper extremity disability. The remand also requires the examiner to reconcile all opinions of record, including those from C. Price, MSPT and T. Naugle, DC.

The Board has remanded the issues of degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine with disc protrusion L3-4 and degenerative disc and osteoarthritis of the cervical spine with herniated nucleus pulposus for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus and ulcers of the legs and feet are granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. Service connection for a low back disability, neck disability, and bilateral knee disabilities is denied.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded for additional medical evaluation and consideration of his cervical spine disability, as he reported worsening symptoms since the last VA examination over five years ago.

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine was received on November 10, 1983. The effective date for this award is set at November 10, 1983.,The Veteran's initial claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine was also received on November 10, 1983. The effective date for this award is set at November 10, 1983.,The Veteran's initial rating for allergic rhinitis was granted in October 29, 2004 and increased to 10 percent from July 13, 1994 and to 30 percent from November 6, 2006.

Service connection is granted for thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, left knee disorder, skin disorder on the right hand, and right foot disorder.,Service connection is denied for cephalgia as it is not secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the right ear hearing loss issue. The remaining claims were denied as there is no legal basis for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of her service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain and chronic cervical spine strain disabilities.

The case is being remanded due to the Veteran's request for an RO hearing before a local hearing officer. The appeal will be returned to the Board after any further development and if needed, a supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to inadequate opinions from the VA examiners and need for additional evidence, including treatment records.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for neck and low back disabilities, as new and material evidence has been received. Service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current cervical strain is not related to his active duty service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's DDD of the cervical spine, left shoulder tendonitis, and right shoulder tendonitis were not incurred in or related to service. The claims for secondary service connection were also denied.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar and cervical spine disabilities has been withdrawn. The Board dismissed the appeal as to the issue of an increased rating for the service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disorders, including spondylosis with myelopathy and DJD of the cervical spine, are found to be related to his military service. The Board grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's initial ratings for right foot plantar fasciitis, left shoulder acromioclavicular joint degenerative disease with bicep tendonitis and partial subscapularis tendon tear, right shoulder glenohumeral degenerative joint disease (DJD), cervical spine DJD prior to March 2, 2017, cervical spine DJD since March 2, 2017, thoracolumbar spine DJD prior to August 1, 2014, and PTSD prior to March 1, 2017 have all been denied.,The Veteran's initial rating for thoracolumbar spine DJD since August 1, 2014 and PTSD since March 1, 2017 has also been denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea and neck disability were denied as new and material evidence was not received. The claims for a skin condition, vision and eye condition, and osteoarthritis are also denied.