Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance due to physical and mental impairments, which has been granted for special monthly compensation.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to new and material evidence. The claims of service connection for other disabilities remain remanded for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder, low back, and neck disorders due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back and neck disabilities, which had their onset during active duty for training (ACDUTRA). The left ankle disability is also considered to have its onset during ACDUTRA. However, the TDIU claim remains pending as it is inextricably intertwined with the left ankle claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine and bilateral hearing loss, as well as his claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The issues are pending further development including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted a rating of 30 percent, effective from October 26, 2017. The reduction in the evaluation was found to be improper and restored.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder. The claims are now remanded for further development.,Further development is required to verify the Veteran’s periods of active duty, active duty for training, and inactive duty for training, as well as to obtain any outstanding private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability, migraine headaches, and PTSD as they are not fully developed. The Veteran will be provided with VA examinations to assess the severity of his disabilities and additional records will be obtained.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability was reopened, granted, and an effective date of June 21, 2015, is assigned. Service connection for bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy on secondary basis to his cervical spine disability is also granted. An effective date earlier than October 4, 2016, for the assignment of a 20% rating for his cervical spine disability is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including atrophy of left thigh muscles, cervical spine disorder, right and left knee patellar strains, right ankle disorder, left foot disorder, right great toe hallux valgus and hallux rigidus, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), and diabetes mellitus. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a direct relationship between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's initial rating for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine has been granted at a 20 percent level. The Veteran's peptic ulcer disease remains rated as non-compensable.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability, thoracic spine disability, lumbar spine disability, left shoulder disability, and radiculopathy of the lower extremities due to conflicting medical opinions and inadequate examination reports. The Veteran is also being considered for TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to November 23, 2011. The Board denied the claim for an effective date prior to this date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back and neck disabilities are not related to his active military service, and therefore, denied both claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development, specifically a lack of VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's other service-connected disabilities. The Veteran is required to report for a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion in a previous VA examination, and requires additional evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current cervical spine disorder is related to service or if it had its onset prior to retirement.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left hip condition, cervical spine condition (claimed as neck condition), and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine has been granted. The claims for an increased rating for right hip degenerative joint disease, entitlement to SMC based on housebound status, and temporary total evaluation are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU due to incomplete development. The Veteran needs a VA examination of his cervical spine disability, and the TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim.

The Veteran's psoriasis is granted as service-connected, and his memory loss disability, cervical spine disability, and dysentery are denied. The application to reopen the claim for bilateral hearing loss was not successful.

The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbosacral spine disability, cervical spine disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability have been granted. A compensable initial rating of 10% has been assigned for irritable bowel syndrome.