Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for new examinations and further development of the claims, including a TDIU issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraine headaches are secondary to her service-connected PTSD and have granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for a DRO hearing due to the failure of the RO to provide the requested hearing.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's current neck disability, including degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, is related to his active duty service. The claim for service connection must be denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a separate compensable rating for bilateral upper extremity cervical radiculopathy, finding no current diagnosis of this condition and concluding that service connection was not warranted.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability has not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to October 20, 2017, and in excess of 30 percent from that date.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for schizophrenia and cervical spine disability, as well as his claim for TDIU, have been denied because he failed to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability resulted in a combined range of motion not exceeding 170 degrees and no muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or spinal contour. The Veteran was granted initial ratings for radiculopathy of the right and left upper extremities.,From June 14, 2016 onwards, the Veteran's cervical spine disability resulted in forward flexion not exceeding 30 degrees and no muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or spinal contour. The Veteran was granted a higher rating for her cervical spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete evidence and need for additional development, including obtaining medical records from various VA facilities and private providers. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities will be evaluated, and his claim for TDIU will also be addressed.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim and found new and material evidence to support service connection for chronic lumbar spine disability, chronic cervical spine disability, and chronic cardiac disabilities. Service connection was not established for a chronic respiratory disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disorder and cervical spine disorder have been granted, with a rating of 20 percent assigned effective from April 30, 2014. The right hip and leg radiculopathy claim remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to include obtaining service treatment records, VA and private medical records, and a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's ulnar neuropathy of the left elbow is attributable to his in-service left shoulder dislocation, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability and an increased rating for bilateral pes planus/plantar fasciitis. The issue of cervical spine disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Further examination and review of records are needed to clarify the relationship between the Veteran's in-service degenerative changes and his current cervical spine condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to fully and correctly adjudicate the claims on appeal, including obtaining National Guard service records, VA treatment records from October 2015 onward, and private medical treatment records. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine, but his cervical spine disability and arthritis have not met the criteria for service connection.,Service connection was denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year after separation from service.

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and an etiology opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was rated at 10 percent prior to August 1, 2013. For the period from August 1, 2013, a rating in excess of 10 percent is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected DDD and arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine are currently rated at 40 percent, effective September 5, 2017. The Board finds that his condition does not warrant a higher rating as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.