Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected cervical and lumbosacral spine disabilities have precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since August 2, 2005.

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder and remanded the issues of impotence, cervical spine/spinal cord condition, bowel dysfunction, bladder dysfunction, loss of sensory and motor function of the bilateral upper extremities, and loss of sensory and motor function of the bilateral lower extremities.

The Board has found the VA examinations inadequate and requires additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right shoulder, cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, bilateral foot, right knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for TBI, but the issues of tinnitus and sleep apnea as secondary to TBI, cervical spine disability, and lumbosacral spine disability remain unresolved due to need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, and bilateral knee disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar and cervical strain disabilities are related to his period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and have granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted the reopening of the previously denied claim for service connection for a heart condition. The issue of service connection for a cervical spine disability is being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, left and right lower extremity disabilities due to insufficient evidence. The VA will provide a new examination to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on the right shoulder, trapezius strain with cervical spine impairment, and depressive disorder have been dismissed. The appeal for a higher rating of depressive disorder remains pending.

The Veteran's housebound status is being remanded for further examination to determine if his service-connected disabilities, particularly headaches, are the primary cause of his inability to leave his home.

The Board denied service connection for low back and neck disorders, finding no evidence of a relationship between current conditions and active duty service.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for residuals of an injury to the cervical spine, residuals of an injury to the lumbar spine, asthenopia, and increased rating for chronic headache. The claims are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of cervical spine DJD, finding that it is not related to his service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is not service-connected.,From November 20, 2006 to May 4, 2008, the Veteran's diabetes required an oral hypoglycemic agent and a restricted diet. From May 5, 2008 to July 26, 2017, it required insulin, restricted diet, and regulation of activities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his intervertebral disc syndrome, lumbosacral strain, and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine were denied as they did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine, lumbosacral, and bilateral shoulder disabilities. The claim for a compensable evaluation for sinusitis is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further development. The Veteran's lumbosacral spine, cervical spine, skin disorder, and memory loss are all being reviewed for their etiology in relation to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding medical records not being obtained. The Veteran is asked to provide authorization forms for any private treatment records from Lakeland Regional Medical Center and Winter Haven Hospital.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and entitlement to TDIU, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities of psoriasis vulgaris, psoriatic arthritis, bilateral hearing loss, and psoriatic arthritis of the cervical spine, hands, feet, elbows, wrists, ankles, and shoulders render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. After considering all evidence, including reasonable doubt, TDIU is granted.