Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a left shoulder disability, as well as increased ratings for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities due to insufficient examination findings.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for cervical myofascitis and skin dryness of the feet has been dismissed due to his withdrawal. The appeal for prostate cancer, linked to herbicide exposure, is still pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical degenerative disk disease, bilateral upper and lower extremity transient limb paralysis due to lack of compliance with Correia v. McDonald requirements and insufficient evidence regarding severity.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's cervical spine disability may be related to his service-connected mandibular fracture, but a new examination is needed to determine this relationship.

The Veteran's current diagnosis of erectile dysfunction is related to service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The cervical disability issue remains pending as remanded by the Board.

The Veteran's PTSD remains at a 70 percent rating, recurrent sinusitis was granted service connection, and other issues were remanded for further review.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD was reopened, but his cervical spine disability remains at a 30% rating.

The Veteran's appeals to reopen service connection, increase the rating for his cervical spine disability, and change the effective date of a previous increased rating are dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for left upper extremity radiculopathy was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show moderate or severe incomplete paralysis of the nerve group, which would warrant a higher rating.

The Board has denied service connection for a disability of the left hip and cervical spine disability, finding that there is no evidence to support direct service connection or any other theory.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his assertions of secondary service connection. The VA will schedule examinations and obtain additional medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 70 percent effective from November 17, 2016.,Service connection for lumbar and cervical spine arthritis has been granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and right shoulder disability. The disabilities are found to be directly related to his military service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, including IVDS and radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, is rated at 60 percent from January 1, 2012 to September 5, 2013. From September 5, 2013, a rating of 30 percent for limitation of motion is granted.

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis is rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of this decision.,The Veteran's right knee DJD and left knee DJD prior to February 21, 2017 are both rated at 10 percent. The Veteran's left knee DJD after April 1, 2018 is denied as there is no evidence of chronic residuals.

The Board has remanded 12 issues related to service connection and evaluations for various conditions, including headaches, allergies, erectile dysfunction, cervical disorders, neurological disorders, hearing loss, and back pain. The remand is due to the need to obtain VA treatment records from San Juan VAMC.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar strain and osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service. Service connection was also denied for a cervical spine disorder due to lack of evidence linking it to service or any other condition.

The Board has remanded several issues including earlier effective dates for service connection and initial compensable ratings for knee conditions, as well as a service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds no evidence to warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran's hernia disability is currently rated at 0 percent, and the Board also finds no evidence to warrant a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic urinary frequency dysfunction, and sinusitis. Service connection is denied for hyperglycemia and a skin condition to include freckling and moles.