Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for recurrent cervical spine injury residuals and recurrent lumbosacral spine injury residuals, finding that the disabilities originated during active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical spine and right knee conditions due to new evidence indicating worsening symptoms. The Veteran will need a VA examination to evaluate the severity of these conditions.

The Board has found that the Veteran's VA examinations for his cervical spine, knee disabilities, and mental health conditions have not been conducted as scheduled. The appeal is being remanded to reschedule these examinations and obtain updated VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions and new evidence. The claims for fractures, hypertension, wrist sprain, carpal tunnel syndrome, renal dysfunction, depression, gastroenteritis, and liver failure are being reviewed due to additional evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for tenosynovitis, degenerative joint disease of the bilateral hands, and reopened previously denied claims for acquired psychiatric disorder, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and right shoulder disability. The decision also addressed other issues such as increased evaluations and effective dates.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for CFS, enthesophyte posterior olecranon with radial head fracture of the right elbow, DJD with chondromalacia of the left knee, status post meniscal tear with degenerative changes and scarring of the right knee, and cervical spine spondylosis were denied. The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for tension headaches and PTSD were granted.

The Veteran's GERD is being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for a medical opinion regarding its relationship to his service-connected migraines and/or cervical spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA medical opinions and incomplete records. The issues of headaches, chronic fatigue secondary to PTSD, sleep apnea secondary to PTSD, an increased rating for PTSD, earlier effective dates for PTSD and tinnitus, left foot disorder, right foot disorder, cervical spine disorder, and lumbar spine disorder are remanded.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for ankylosing spondylitis of the cervical spine before a decision was made.

The Veteran's bilateral knee braces caused wear and tear on his clothing, leading to the grant of a clothing allowance for calendar years 2013 and 2014.

The Veteran's application to reopen his cervical spine disorder claim was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. His thoracolumbar spine disability remains rated at 20 percent, with no change in rating for TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, a cervical spine disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression, anxiety, panic attacks, agoraphobia, and PTSD), all secondary to the Veteran's service-connected Cushing’s syndrome.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine and thoracolumbar spine disabilities, finding that these conditions are more likely than not due to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities as well as low back disability due to lack of current evidence of a chronic condition related to active service.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective October 23, 2010 and dismissed the remaining issues on appeal. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment from that date.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hand arthritis, acquired psychiatric disability (depression), cervical spine disability, low back disability, right hip disorder, and left foot drop as there is no current diagnosis related to these conditions.,There was no evidence of a current disability in any of the claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and requested additional records from the Veteran's former employer.

The Board found that the reduction of SMC payments from the aid and attendance rate to the housebound rate due to hospitalization at government expense was proper, thus denying the appeal for restoration of SMC payments.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine disability. However, further development is needed as there are gaps in the record regarding the Veteran's military history and medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee, right shoulder, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disabilities. However, the claims for a right knee disability, sinus condition, and thyroid disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Further examination is needed to determine if these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.