Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and increased evaluations for cervical strain with cervical disc degeneration, postconcussive headaches (residual of traumatic brain injury), TBI, right shoulder grade II AC separation, and PTSD have been denied. The Veteran is not entitled to an increased evaluation for his service-connected cervical strain with cervical disc degeneration or a higher initial evaluation for his service-connected postconcussive headaches (residual of traumatic brain injury).,The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for right shoulder grade II AC separation, PTSD, and TBI have been remanded. The Veteran is also entitled to an increased evaluation for his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is denied for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right shoulder disability. The cervical spine and right knee issues are remanded, as well as the PTSD issue. TDIU is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, and a right foot disability due to lack of proper notification regarding scheduled VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine disorder, left arm numbness as secondary to cervical spine disorder, headaches as secondary to cervical spine disorder, and a left shoulder strain. Service connection for right shoulder disability is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for back disability, cervical strain, and mouth disability due to inadequate medical opinions in his VA examinations. The claims will be further evaluated with additional evidence and a new examination.

The Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic migraine headaches have been very frequent, completely prostrating prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability throughout the appeals period and warrant a 50 percent rating.,For the period prior to August 2, 2013, the Veteran’s PTSD with anxiety and memory loss has most nearly approximated occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for all issues except those related to his right elbow. As a result, the Board is dismissing these appeals.

An effective date of February 10, 2003 is granted for the grant of service connection for a cervical spine disability. The Veteran's left shoulder and neck disabilities are also rated at 10 percent.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's cervical spine condition may be related to his military service, but a new examination is needed to determine if it was aggravated by ACDUTRA during Gulf War service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including consideration of service connection for diabetes mellitus and evaluation of his depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of compliance with previous remand instructions, specifically regarding VA examinations for the Veteran's cervical spine disorder and left shoulder disorders. The matter is now pending for further review.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, has been reopened. The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for tinnitus and various musculoskeletal disorders.

The Board has denied service connection for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities as there is no evidence that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for equilibrium problems, numbness and tingling of neck, fingers, and toes, and an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected cervical strain disability due to incomplete opinions regarding secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The left ankle disability was rated 10% prior to December 11, 2017 and 20% from that date forward. The low back disability was rated 10% before April 26, 2016, 20% from April 26, 2016 to February 26, 2018, and 40% from February 27, 2018. The right lower extremity radiculopathy was rated 10% before June 22, 2017 and 20% after that date. The left lower extremity radiculopathy was rated 10% before June 22, 2017 and 20% after that date. The cervical spine disability was rated 10% prior to April 26, 2016 and 20% after that date. The right upper extremity radiculopathy was rated 40% from June 22, 2017. The left upper extremity radiculopathy was rated 20% from June 22, 2017. The right knee and left knee disabilities were both denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient evidence for some issues and the need for further examinations.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, effective September 14, 2018. The cervical spine disability secondary to the service-connected low back disability is remanded for further review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, a neck disability, headaches, GERD, and fatigue as they were not related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder condition, cervical spine condition, and lumbar spine condition. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to its interdependence with these service connection issues.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for a cervical strain, finding that the original claim was received on July 19, 2013 and no prior claims existed.