Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including cervical condition, bilateral knee condition, acquired psychiatric disorder, memory loss, headache, and erectile dysfunction. The appeals are related to undiagnosed illnesses or secondary to a service-connected disability (angioedema).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral knee disabilities and other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted eligibility for specially adapted housing due to the severity of his service-connected disabilities affecting his lower extremities. However, as he is now eligible for this benefit, the claim for a special home adaptation grant is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records from Missouri Correctional facilities and VA treatment records prior to December 2011.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric disabilities. The claims for bilateral wrist disability, breathing disability (including allergic rhinitis and sinusitis), vision loss disability, cervical spine disability, dizziness, sleep disability, degenerative arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, lower extremities, elbow disability, scoliosis, and traumatic brain injury are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the reduction in the rating for right knee strain from 40 percent to 10 percent, effective July 11, 2017, was improper and has ordered restoration of the prior rating. The Veteran's cervical spine, depressive disorder, lumbar spondylosis, right knee strain, left knee degenerative joint disease, and scar, residual injury right ring finger disabilities are all remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia has been granted a 40 percent disability rating, effective November 28, 2006. The Board denied entitlement to TDIU based on a single service connected disability (PTSD and fibromyalgia).

The Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss disability, left ear hearing loss disability, cervical spondylosis, tinnitus, tinea versicolor, adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, right hip iliotibial band syndrome with limited flexion, right hip iliotibial band syndrome with limited extension, right hip iliotibial band syndrome with impairment of the thigh, right knee strain, left knee strain, thoracolumbar strain, right shoulder scars, status-post surgery, left ingrown toenails, and migraine headaches have all been denied.,The Veteran's bilateral pes planus claim has also been denied for periods when a 100% rating was granted due to surgical convalescence.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine joint and disc disease, finding that the condition had its onset in service. The other issues on appeal are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, neck disability, low back pain, bilateral knee disabilities, cephalgia, hand tremors, restless leg syndrome, and respiratory insufficiency are being remanded due to insufficient evidence. The claim for acquired psychological disability is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the severity of the Veteran's cervical spine disability during flare-ups.

The Veteran's cervical strain was granted a higher rating of 20 percent prior to June 11, 2012.,The Veteran's cervical strain was granted a higher rating of 30 percent since June 11, 2012.

The Board has denied service connection for gout and essential tremor, finding that the evidence does not support a link to service.,Service connection is remanded for left shoulder condition, cervical spine condition, back condition, gall bladder condition, diverticulitis, and GERD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for cervical spine DDD and DJD, lumbar spine DDD status post fusion, or headache syndrome with migraine features. The issues regarding radiculopathy, special monthly compensation based on housebound criteria, and TDIU have been remanded.

The Veteran's right knee and cervical spine disabilities have been restored to their previous ratings of 60% and 20%, respectively, effective March 1, 2015. The appeal is granted for these issues.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of hearing loss due to the Veteran's withdrawal. The cervical and thoracolumbar spine conditions are remanded for further review.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the evaluations of his left shoulder and cervical spine disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his combat injuries sustained in July 1968. The majority of the evidence supports the conclusion that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder is not related to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it arose during active service. The appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for cervical spine degenerative disc disease is dismissed.,Issues related to TBI residuals and bilateral vision disability, sleep disorder (obstructive sleep apnea), left upper extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and increased ratings for depressive disorder and PTSD are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, neck disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) due to military sexual trauma. The VA will provide additional examinations and opinions to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disability and TBI, but remanded the issue of hypertension secondary to diabetes.