Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran is not entitled to a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for his radiculopathy of the left upper extremity or neck disability.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the assignment of a disability rating of 30 percent has been denied.

The Veteran's cervical spine and left arm/wrist disabilities are being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical opinions to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residual pain status post torn left rotator cuff of the left shoulder and degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine was granted, with a combined evaluation of 90 percent. The Veteran is now eligible for TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, as well as any relevant Spanish-language records. The claim will be returned to the Board after this information has been reviewed.

The Board found that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction was not incurred in or related to service, including as secondary to his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine. The claim for increased ratings for cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities is remanded.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to ensure proper development and consideration of the Veteran's claim for service connection due to conflicting opinions provided by medical professionals and incomplete medical records.

The Board found that the reduction of the Veteran's cervical spine strain evaluation from 10 percent to noncompensable was not proper and restored the original 10 percent rating. The claim for an increased rating for cervical spine strain was denied as there is no evidence of actual improvement in the disability level caused by service-connected cervical spine strain.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for his service connection for myocardial infarction with congestive heart failure, finding that the earliest possible effective date was December 5, 2008. The issues of cervical spine disability, cirrhosis, sinusitis, and pharyngitis were also addressed but not decided.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is found to be incurred in service, as his current condition can be linked to a fall he experienced during active duty.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine myositis, bilateral shoulder tendinitis, and bilateral ankle arthritis. However, the VA examiner concluded that these conditions are less likely than not related to his service-connected lumbosacral strain.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral leg condition and a cervical spine disorder, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The Veteran did not provide any medical evidence linking his current disabilities to his period of active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine and cervical spine, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding secondary service connection and aggravation of nonservice-connected cervical spine disability by service-connected disabilities. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to address these issues.

The Veteran's low back and cervical spine conditions have not met the criteria for a higher rating, as there is no evidence of forward flexion of the thoracolumbar or cervical spine to 30 degrees or less, nor has there been ankylosis. The Veteran reported flare-ups but did not demonstrate additional limitation of motion during these episodes.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a causal relationship between the Veteran's current migraine headaches, arthritis of the cervical spine, and seizures with his military service. The claims are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not resulted in any new diagnoses or conditions that would warrant increased ratings. The right and left wrist carpal tunnel syndromes are resolved, as is the lumbar spine disability. The cervical spine disability remains not service connected.,No current evidence of radiculopathy or hearing loss has been found.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain with DDD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and Social Security Administration records, as well as locating service treatment records. The Veteran's neck disability is being evaluated to determine if it is related to his active duty or his service-connected low back disability.

The Board denied a higher disability rating for the Veteran's cervical spine DDD, C6-7, with spondylosis, finding that his symptoms did not warrant an increased rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical strain and bilateral eye disability did not have their onset in service or are otherwise related to service. The claim for service connection was denied.