Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to address issues related to lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and postoperative residuals of an incisional hernia.

The Board has remanded the claims for earlier effective dates and a rating increase for cervical spine degenerative joint disease due to new evidence of record. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, left foot, chronic fatigue syndrome, and obstructive sleep apnea disabilities. The claims for seizure disorder and blackouts/convulsions have been reopened.,Service connection was also granted for chronic sinusitis and lung cancer.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The cases of lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, bilateral foot disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and headaches are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound due to a lack of an appropriate VA examination. The examiner must clarify if the Veteran is limited in his ability to bathe and toilet as a result of service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, chronic gastritis, flat feet, left foot heel spur, right foot heel spur, bilateral plantar fasciitis, cervical strain with degenerative arthritis, lumbosacral strain, left ankle disability (status post left ankle fracture, status post open reduction internal fixation with degenerative arthritis), right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome. The claims were remanded for additional examinations and to obtain updated VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and requests for additional information from the Veteran regarding his current treatment providers. The claims will be reviewed again based on this new evidence.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder arthritis, bursitis, tendonitis, bone spurs of the cervical spine, herniated disc of the lumbar spine, DJD of the left knee, residuals of a head injury with concussion/TBI, migraine headaches, and Alzheimer's disease and memory loss. The Veteran withdrew his appeal for these issues during a videoconference hearing.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine disorder and remanded other issues related to his claims. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any current cervical spine disorders, right and left upper extremity radiculopathies, and psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to procedural defects and the need for further development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and bilateral knee disorders, rendered him unable to work in any active or sedentary position he might have been able to obtain with his background. The Board has granted an effective date of January 19, 2011 for the TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability, left upper extremity neurological disabilities, and left lower extremity neurological disabilities are not service-connected. The VA examinations were inadequate for purposes of adjudicating these claims, and further development is needed to determine their etiology.

The Board has denied service connection for skin disorders, thyroid conditions, and heart disabilities due to herbicide exposure. The claims for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and right eye condition are remanded as there is insufficient evidence on record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since October 19, 2013.

The Veteran's cervical spine and left carpal tunnel disabilities were dismissed due to the RO granting them in full. The right ear hearing loss disability, actinic keratosis (skin condition), acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), right shoulder and knee disabilities, sleep apnea, hernia, GERD, and TBI have been denied. Service connection for hypertension has also been denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right elbow disability. The remaining claims for cervical spine, left great toe, left knee, and PTSD disabilities are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for recognition as a helpless child of his father due to lack of evidence showing permanent incapacity for self-support prior to age 18, despite his current disabilities and condition.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder and cervical spine disabilities, bilateral foot disorder, cardiac arrhythmia/abnormal EKG, prostate disorder, and hemorrhoids. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for shoulder, neck, right hip disabilities and ulcerative colitis with stomach issues due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

All appeals for service connection and increased ratings are withdrawn. The Veteran's adjustment disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected headaches.,The Veteran’s degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology, including potential aggravation by a work-related injury in 1999.