Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment from December 1, 1993 to July 23, 1996. The Board granted a TDIU rating for this period.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus were granted service connection, while the neck disability claim was reopened.

The Veteran's right hip disorder, left shoulder disorder, and right shoulder disorder are not service-connected. The cervical spine disorder, left ankle disorder, and right ankle disorder have also not been established as service-connected.,Service connection for the Veteran’s psychiatric condition has been remanded.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding his claimed musculoskeletal disorders and hearing loss. The VA will need to obtain additional medical opinions addressing the relationship between these conditions and active service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for service connection of peripheral neuropathy and sleep apnea. The claims were received more than one year after the Veteran’s separation from service, and the earliest possible assignable effective dates are August 18, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were dismissed due to the withdrawal of his claims by the Veteran. The Board also remanded several issues related to PTSD, headaches, cervical strain, and a multi-symptom condition claimed as fibromyalgia.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical spine disorder and left shoulder disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent for either condition.

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

The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than October 21, 2008, for service connection is denied. The Veteran's claims are remanded for further development and examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The effective date of her sinusitis claim is January 23, 2012.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a cervical spine disorder, acquired psychiatric disability, kidney disorder, and erectile dysfunction have been granted. The cervical spine disorder claim is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to active duty service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment since January 26, 2016. The Board has granted a TDIU rating on both schedular and extraschedular bases.

The Veteran's service connection claims for Traumatic Brain Injury and Cervical Spine Condition are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is related to his military service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection of left elbow, neck, and left leg disabilities due to new and material evidence. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck disorder, diagnosed as cervical spine degenerative changes, had its onset during his period of active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right hip disabilities, cervical spine disability, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to duty-to-assist errors. The AOJ is required to obtain additional medical opinions regarding whether these conditions are proximately due or aggravated by service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as incurred in active duty. The issues of service connection for a left wrist disability, neck disability, bilateral hearing loss, and patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, cervical spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, and left shoulder disorder due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's service connection claims for cervical and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, scars on the left hand, allergic rhinitis, asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, heart condition, and GERD have been denied. The VA has ordered additional examinations to address these issues.,The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for his claimed conditions as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current diagnoses and active service.