Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2018

The Board has denied the claim for service connection of a cervical spine disability as secondary to service-connected PTSD and low back disability, finding that there is no evidence linking the cervical spine disability to these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for dyslipidemia and has remanded the remaining issues related to spine conditions, joint disorders, hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, GERD, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and psychiatric disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma secondary to the Veteran's service-connected rhinitis. The claims for left knee disability, cervical spine disability, thoracolumbar back disability, and sciatica are remanded.

The Board has decided that a more contemporary VA examination is required to properly assess the current severity of the Veteran's cervical spine disability. The matter is therefore REMANDED for further action.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, and right shoulder disabilities as there was no evidence of a nexus to service or a presumption of disease due to exposure. The Veteran's current conditions were found not related to his military service.

The appeal for a higher rating on the residual scar is dismissed. The claim of service connection for PFB has been reopened, but the underlying claim remains remanded due to insufficient evidence. The claim for cervical spine disability is also remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and the residuals of a stroke. The claims for lumbar spine disability, neck disability, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

A rating of 30 percent for bilateral fallen arches with plantar fasciitis is granted from November 29, 2007 to June 27, 2012.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for cervical human papillomavirus infection with cervical warts and lichen sclerosus of the vulva and labia majora is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for a back disability, neck disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability due to new evidence received since the September 1996 rating decision. The claims are now pending for further examination and opinion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, cervical spine disability, an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as anxiety and depression), and PTSD. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's rating for cervical spine degenerative disc disease was restored to 30 percent effective April 1, 2015.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine and back disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not causally related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome has been granted service connection. Service connection for fibromyalgia, acid reflux, and other conditions have been denied.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for a lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and left knee disability due to inadequate medical opinions and need for further development.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent, and the cervical spine disorder and neurological disorder of the left upper extremity remain unresolved due to lack of examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder and cervical spine disorders due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the nature of her current disabilities and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's right ulnar nerve entrapment is rated at 40 percent, effective August 21, 2012. The cervical spine disability issue and the TDIU claim are remanded for further development. An effective date prior to April 2, 2014, for the grant of service connection for right knee scars is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claim for left shoulder disability was also denied.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine and cervical spine disabilities have been rated at the maximum available rating of 20 percent, with a temporary increase to 100 percent during periods of convalescence. The appeals for higher ratings are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to incomplete consideration of all submitted evidence and issues on appeal. The claims will be reconsidered with the inclusion of new medical records and a VA examination.