Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient VA examination reports and the need for additional medical records. The Veteran's allegations of in-service assault, beatings, and injection with sodium pentothal are considered.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that it is neither proximately due to nor aggravated by her service-connected lumbar disability with left leg radiculopathy.

The Board denied service connection for right ankle, lumbar spine, cervical spine, and hip disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's initial ratings for cervical spine, right knee, and lumbar strain disabilities were denied. The cervical spine disability was rated at 10 percent prior to October 28, 2016 and at 20 percent thereafter. The right knee disability received a 10 percent rating from September 3, 2014 to October 28, 2016 and the lumbar strain disability was rated at 10 percent as of October 28, 2016.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for a cervical spine condition has been granted. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for a cervical spine condition and a sciatic nerve condition, as secondary to a cervical spine condition.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected cervical spine disability is remanded due to the need for additional examination and testing.

The Board finds that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder likely began in service and is related to his active duty. Therefore, service connection for a cervical strain is granted.

The Board has denied an increased rating for carpal tunnel syndrome, right hand and remanded the issue of a higher rating for cervical degenerative arthritis. The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been rated based on their current severity.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 20% prior to August 8, 2017 and at 30% beginning from that date. Separate ratings of 20% are granted for right and left upper extremity radiculopathy starting from August 8, 2017.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is granted. The claims for increased ratings for osteoarthritis of the left and right knees, as well as for bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracic and lumbar spines is found to have caused his diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis. Service connection for this condition has been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine disability is related to his in-service fall from a tank, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's right shoulder scar was initially denied a compensable rating prior to August 2, 2017. A 10 percent rating is granted beginning on that date.,Service connection for heart disorder and bilateral wrist disorders are remanded due to outstanding records.,Right shoulder disability and cervical spine disability ratings are remanded as the Veteran's symptoms have worsened since his last examination in 2014.,Lumbar spine disability rating is remanded as the Veteran's range of motion has worsened since his last VA examination in 2014.,Bilateral foot disabilities and PFB of the face and upper neck are remanded due to outstanding treatment records. Migraine headaches are also remanded for a new examination.,,,

The Board denied service connection for traumatic brain injury or residuals thereof, bilateral ankle disability, bilateral hip disability, low back disability, neck disability, and sleep disorder.,The Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of any of these conditions at the time of the decision.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining updated VA examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's neck, left knee, bilateral shoulder, right knee, and psychiatric disabilities. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder, cervical spine, occipital nerve, and headache disorders due to a lack of adequate medical examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of various disabilities and to obtain relevant VA treatment records. The claims for service connection are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury and cervical spine disorder due to incomplete treatment records.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding service connection for various conditions due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's cervical spine, lumbar spine, right shoulder, right iliotibial band syndrome, and right ankle sprain residuals are service-connected as of May 4, 2009.,Service connection for PTSD was established as of July 6, 2010.