Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions. The issues include bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, shin splints, shoulder disorders, frostbite, psychiatric conditions, traumatic brain injury, headaches, wrist, hip, ankle, knee, elbow, little finger, plantar fasciitis, joint pain, back pain, neck pain, erectile dysfunction, sleep apnea, skin disorder, and eye problems.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to service connection for various conditions. The Board has remanded these cases due to the need for further development, including obtaining SSA records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an unspecified depressive disorder, back disorder, and neuropathy of both lower extremities is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous instructions and a need for further medical opinion regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disability during his period of active duty service for training from February 2010 through September 2010.

The Board has determined that VA examinations are needed to address the etiology of the Veteran's claimed right shoulder and cervical spine disabilities, as there is insufficient competent medical evidence on file for the Secretary to make a decision.

The Veteran's cervical strain and left upper extremity radiculopathy are granted at a 40 percent rating effective November 3, 2017. The Veteran's lumbar strain is rated as 40 percent disabling after July 29, 2014.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of service connection for hypertension was granted. The appeal is granted in this regard, but other claims remain pending.

The Veteran's GERD and cervical dysplasia status post hysterectomy have been remanded for further review.,A claim to reopen the diabetes mellitus service connection has also been remanded.

The VA examiner found that the current examination for the cervical spine disability did not contain the required findings, and thus a new examination is needed to assess the severity of the condition.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions including left hip, right hip, right knee, headache, right upper extremity numbness, insomnia, and cervical spine disabilities due to lack of current diagnoses.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as secondary to her service-connected cervical spondylosis. The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination regarding brain demyelination, hearing loss, numbness and pain claimed as carpal tunnel syndrome of the left and right arms, increased ratings for cervical spondylosis and lumbosacral strain.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. Service connection is being remanded for dextroscoliosis of the lumbar spine and a cervical spine condition to include as secondary to dextroscoliosis.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations. The Veteran's service connection claims are being reviewed due to the need for additional evidence or clarification.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased disability rating for his cervical spine and right upper extremity disabilities due to gaps in VA treatment records and the need for a medical opinion regarding the severity of his conditions prior to February 16, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for left hip disability, right hip disability, cervical spine fusion for degenerative disc disease, and right knee arthritis have been granted.,The claim for erectile dysfunction remains denied.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, including its orthopedic manifestations and associated radiculopathy of the upper extremities, has been granted increased ratings. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to the cervical spine disability was also granted effective January 30, 2012.

The Board denied service connection for neck disability, back disability, bilateral hip disability, and brain tumor (including seizure disorder and anosmia) due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active duty service. The presumption of exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune was applied, but the Veteran did not have a compensable degree of arthritis within one year after separation from service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination to determine if there is a current diagnosis of hepatitis C, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), or any other disability that may affect the Veteran's ability to work. The claims are also being remanded for a VA examination to assess the severity of his low back disability.

This decision denies service connection for right shoulder rotator cuff syndrome and remands the issues of initial disability ratings for thoracolumbar degenerative disease with scoliosis, PTSD, left shoulder rotator cuff syndrome, a right hip condition secondary to thoracolumbar condition, a left hip condition secondary to thoracolumbar condition, and cervical strain. The Veteran's service-connected conditions are not related to his military service.,PTSD symptoms have been rated at 50 percent since April 21, 2011, with no evidence of occupational and social impairment that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for cervical and lumbar spine disorders due to incomplete records, requiring further examination and medical opinions.