Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment since September 3, 2013. The Board has granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Veteran's GERD was not related to service, and the Board denied service connection for this condition.,There is no current diagnosis of left wrist or neck disabilities. The Board denied service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's right ankle brace caused wear and tear to his clothing, leading to a grant of a clothing allowance for the year 2014. The other issues on appeal are not addressed in this decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including left elbow disability, allergic rhinitis, cervical spine disability, low back disability, right foot disability, right ankle disability, hemorrhoids, and right hand scaring. The claims are being remanded to provide further examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a failure to schedule VA examinations. The issues include cervical spine, right ankle, respiratory disability (undiagnosed illness), and left wrist cyst.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for several shoulder and elbow disabilities, as well as carpal tunnel syndromes. The Board is dismissing these issues.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and left ankle/left foot disorder due to outstanding records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck disability, back disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, left foot disability, right foot disability, skin disability (rash on lower extremities), bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. However, further development is needed as VA examinations are required to determine the nature and etiology of these disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations of his service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as the initial evaluation for his right lower extremity radiculopathy, are denied.,Prior to September 5, 2014, the criteria for an evaluation greater than 20 percent for DDD of the lumbar spine have not been met. Beginning September 5, 2014, the criteria for an evaluation greater than 40 percent for DDD of the lumbar spine have not been met.,The Veteran's initial evaluation for his right lower extremity radiculopathy is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities due to insufficient evidence, including lack of examination findings regarding flare-ups and repetitive use.

The Board denied service connection for muscle weakness, fibromyalgia, low back disability, joint problems (knees and ankles), inability to walk, and neck disability as there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability is granted at a 40 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran’s hemorrhoid disability and low back disability are also granted with respective ratings. Other issues related to service connection or increased ratings have been remanded.

The Veteran's diplopia is granted as a symptom of her service-connected migraine headaches. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for neck disability, right hip disability, and neuropathy. Service connection was granted for acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety) as secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds no evidence to warrant a higher rating based on current functional limitations.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds no evidence to warrant a higher rating based on current functional limitations.,The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds no evidence to warrant a higher rating based on current functional limitations.

The claim for service connection for a neurological disorder, neck disability, bilateral leg disability, bilateral shoulder disability, chronic headaches, and psychiatric disability is denied.,The claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for an addendum VA medical opinion to assess the severity of the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities prior to August 23, 2011.

The Veteran's cervical strain and arthritis of the lumbar spine are not rated higher than 10 percent. GERD is rated at 10 percent, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is rated at 20 percent, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is rated at 20 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder degenerative joint disease, cervical spine condition, sinus condition, and acquired psychiatric condition due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The appeals were remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the issues of rating cervical spine and lumbosacral spine disabilities, as well as the TDIU claim due to lack of recent VA examinations and incomplete SSA records.