Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2018

The Board has denied service connection for a breathing disability, but has remanded the claims for right shoulder disability, right arm tingling (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Cubital Tunnel Syndrome), cervical spine disability, and mixed tension and vascular headaches.,Further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches. The right knee, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depression), back disability, and neck disability claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection. The Veteran asserts that his current spinal conditions are related to his military service, but VA medical opinions have not provided sufficient rationale.

The Board has denied service connection for gouty arthritis, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, prostate disability, and urinary incontinence as these conditions are not shown to be related to military service.

The Board has ordered remand for additional examinations and opinions due to the VA's failure to comply with its duty to assist in obtaining an adequate medical opinion.

The Board has denied service connection for back and neck disabilities, as well as IHD, squamous cell carcinoma, MSA, and autonomic neuropathy due to herbicide exposure. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine is granted service connection and rated at 30 percent. The left ankle fracture status post fusion prior to July 11, 2014, is also granted service connection and rated at 30 percent. Since July 11, 2014, the Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a cervical spine disability has been reopened and denied. Claims for service connection for numbness in the left hand and right hand have also been reopened but denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine and right shoulder disabilities, finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder as there was no evidence of a chronic disability in service or within one year after service, and the weight of the evidence did not support a finding that the current condition is related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to March 26, 2014, for service-connected residuals of a cervical spine fracture and for a disability rating for neurological abnormalities associated with the cervical spine disability. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and cervical spine degenerative disc disease, rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment as of October 3, 2012. The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from that date.

The Board has granted service connection for cervicalgia, cervical spondylosis, mild degenerative disc disease at midcervical spine C3-C4, C4-C5 and segmental dysfunction of thoracic region, as well as lumbago, lumber vertebra subluxation, disorder of sacrum and spastic paraspinal musculature, all of which are believed to be related to the Veteran's motor vehicle accident during active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of breast cancer, status post right mastectomy has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for this condition. Other claims are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including myxoid liposarcoma of the right leg/groin and pelvis, chronic pain/chronic fatigue syndrome associated with it, fibromyalgia, lymphedema, premature menopause, loss of her right ovary, carpal tunnel syndrome, nerve damage to the right leg (lower extremity neuropathy), an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety and depression), insomnia, and temporomandibular joint disorder with dislocated jaw. The denial is based on a lack of evidence supporting the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and hiatal hernia, were denied. The claim for residuals of a head injury (now claimed as TBI) was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for various conditions, including cervical spine disorder, left hip disorder, right hip disorder, sleep disorder, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, voiding dysfunction, skin disorder, and dysphagia. The appeals are remanded to determine appropriate evaluations and etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and anxiety), and a cervical spine disorder with radiculopathy. The effective dates are to be determined based on the date of claim.

The Veteran's cervical spine DJD and DA are granted as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine DA.,Service connection for unspecified depressive disorder is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder and cervical spine disabilities, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are being returned to the RO for further development.