Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's left hand disability is granted a 10% rating from February 8, 2018. The low back and neck disabilities are denied ratings in excess of 10%. The left knee and right ankle disabilities are also denied ratings in excess of 10%.

Service connection is granted for spondylosis and intervertebral disc degeneration of the cervical spine with arthritis at the C5-6 and C6-7 level. Service connection is denied for endometriosis.,The Veteran's TMJ dysfunction is remanded as it may be related to her service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for psoriatic arthritis is granted with an effective date of June 11, 2008. The Board also found that the earlier claim for a skin rash inherently included a claim for psoriatic arthritis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches has been reopened and granted.,Service connection is granted for a cervical spine disability, with the onset during active service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for cervical spine C5-6 disc disease and osteoarthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome was dismissed as the appellant requested a withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities have been granted. The conditions are considered to be directly related to the Veteran's active military service.

The petition to reopen the claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder is granted. The Veteran's current cervical spine pathology is related to her in-service motor vehicle accident and symptoms of neck pain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing VA treatment records and a need for further examination. The issues include back disability, neck disability, hip disorders, lower extremity neuropathies, muscle cramps, edema, and upper left arm pain.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for Right Shoulder Disability, Cervical Spine Disability, and Lumbar Spine Disability due to inadequate examination in the previous decisions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are inextricably intertwined and must be remanded due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The issues include back disorders, cervical spine disability, psychiatric conditions, right knee disability, GERD, radiculopathy, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck condition, PTSD, head injury (TBI), and depressive disorder is granted.,Service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease is granted. Service connection for PTSD is granted. Service connection for head injury (TBI) is remanded due to lack of an adequate VA examination. Service connection for depressive disorder as secondary to service-connected cervical spine degenerative disc disease is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral hand, shoulder, elbow, knee, and ankle conditions. The Veteran is to be provided with VA examinations to determine if his current disabilities are related to his period of active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for a 50% rating for headaches, SMC at the housebound rate, and TDIU. The earliest factually ascertainable date for the assignment of a 50% rating for headaches is May 13, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral chronic limb pain, eye disability, neck disability, and sleep apnea have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease that would support service connection.,Service connection has not been established for the Veteran's claimed conditions due to a lack of competent medical evidence linking his current disabilities to his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, ischemic heart disease, and various musculoskeletal disabilities. The case is remanded to provide the Veteran with VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's original claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability was received on October 31, 2012. The Board found that there were no pending and unadjudicated claims prior to this date.

The Veteran's neck and low back disabilities were not incurred in service, nor are they related to any incident of service.,Neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities was not shown to have had its onset during service or within a year thereafter. The Veteran did not seek treatment for these conditions until many years after service separation.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 40 percent since February 25, 2016. His lumbar spine disability remains at a 40 percent rating.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury. The issues of service connection for neck disability, right ankle disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep apnea are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical strain is granted as secondary to his headaches, and he is now receiving compensation for thoracolumbar spine arthritis. The initial evaluations for both conditions are granted at 10 percent.