Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability as secondary to his service-connected left knee condition. The claims for service connection of the left shoulder and neck disabilities are remanded due to new theories of entitlement.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted secondary to his service-connected neck disability. A rating of 30 percent for his cervical spine disability is granted throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for warts of the left-hand is denied as he has not been diagnosed with a discernable disability. Claims for hypertension, cervical spine disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, and neuropathy of the right lower extremity are also denied.

The Board cannot make a decision on the service connection claim for a cervical spine disability because no VA examiner has provided an opinion regarding its relation to active duty service, including a documented motor vehicle accident. The Veteran's treatment records need to be updated and she needs to be examined by a clinician.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, evaluations for knee and cervical spine disabilities, and initial compensable evaluation for migraine headaches due to insufficient rationale in the September 2016 DBQ. The Veteran's OSA is being remanded for a VA medical opinion clarifying its etiology.

The Veteran's increased rating for cervical spine disc disease, C5-C6 and C7, with muscle spasm is granted to the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's low back disability was granted service connection, and his cervical spine and bilateral knee disabilities were denied. The sleep apnea was also granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a cervical spine disorder and a neurological disorder of the left hand/arm were denied as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted due to multiple service-connected disabilities, but he is deemed unemployable due to worsening health issues.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is not service-connected as it is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.,His lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is service-connected as it is proximately due to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the cervical spine was not shown to be related to his military service, and it is determined that this condition is not secondary to his service-connected low back disability. Therefore, the claim for service connection for DDD of the cervical spine is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for cervical spine disability was denied as the evidence did not show limitation of motion or ankylosis that would warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU was also denied because he failed to complete and return the VA Form 21-8940, which is required to substantiate his unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine disability, left and right arm numbness and tingling, and psychiatric disability due to insufficient development of evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, lumbar spine, right hip, and right hand disabilities due to insufficient development. The claims are also being remanded for clarification on whether the Veteran's headaches are secondary to his service-connected GERD.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for hypertension and granted service connection for a low back disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), but remanded the claims for service connection for neck disability and secondary service connection for hypertension.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and insufficient examination. The Veteran's cervical spine disability is being reviewed again for a medical opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been remanded due to the need for further development.,Service connection has not been established for a left foot disability, vision disorder, bilateral hearing loss, headaches, right foot disability, upper and lower extremity disabilities, respiratory disorders, sleep disorder, or psychiatric disorders.

The Board has denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for qualifying additional disabilities of the right arm and hand, left arm and hand, right shoulder, left shoulder, cervical spine, and lumbar spine caused by or resulting from VA acupuncture therapy in 2016.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for left foot disability is denied as there was no prior claim filed.,Service connection for vision disorder, bilateral hearing loss, headaches, right foot disability, upper and lower extremity disabilities, respiratory disability, left shoulder disability, neck disability, back disability, sleep disorder, and erectile dysfunction are all denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeals of the hernia and tinnitus claims due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The remaining issues have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder, headaches, right lower extremity radiculopathy, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and cervical strain, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).