Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for cervical strain was denied as her range of motion did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and the need for further examination.

The appeal for service connection of a neurological condition now noted with headaches is granted. Service connection for the right ankle, acquired psychiatric condition other than adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, cervical spine condition, left elbow fracture, left hand condition, and left eye condition are all remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to inadequate development and examination reports. The VA is required to obtain additional records, schedule examinations, and provide adequate opinions.

The Veteran's cervical degenerative disc disease with postoperative residuals is not rated higher than 20 percent, and his total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disorders is denied.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a cervical spine disorder, but the claims for service connection for lumbar spine disorders and neurological disorders of the lower extremities remain pending. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient examination reports and lack of evidence regarding the onset and relationship of his disabilities. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability, PVD of the bilateral lower extremities, cervical spine disability, and radiculopathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities has been reopened. Effective September 26, 2014, the Veteran is granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen claims for service connection of various conditions, but the cases are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis related to her claimed left shoulder injury, left arm condition, right knee injury, cervical strain, or lumbar strain. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and procedural issues. The claims include service connection for various conditions, including benign prostatic hyperplasia, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, sleep disorder, MDD, and GAD), hiatal hernia, GERD, PUD, chronic colitis, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, degenerative joint disease of both hips, degenerative joint disease of both knees, degenerative joint disease of both feet, conjunctivitis, and hypertensive cardiovascular disease.

The Veteran's cervical strain and chronic muscle tension headaches have been rated, but the Board has found that additional evidence is needed to determine if higher ratings are warranted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence of a connective tissue disorder, which may be related to in-service chemical exposures. The VA will obtain additional medical records and personnel files, clarify his Persian Gulf veteran status, and schedule an examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and adjustment disorder, was denied. The Veteran also had her initial rating for urinary incontinence increased to 20 percent from July 24, 2012 to July 7, 2014, but later decreased to 40 percent from July 8, 2014 to September 30, 2014 and then to 60 percent since October 1, 2014. The cervical spine disorder claim was remanded, as was the rating for lumbar spine disability. The TDIU claim was also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a bilateral hand/fingers disorder, cervical spine disorder, cervical radiculopathy of the left arm, and cervical radiculopathy of the right arm have all been denied.,Service connection has also been denied for hypertension.

The Veteran's heart disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected hypertension. The cervical spine disability is denied due to lack of in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including cervical spine disorder, bilateral cataracts, hypertension, psoriasis, peripheral neuropathy of multiple extremities, and hearing loss. The appeals are related to secondary service connection based on herbicide exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that there was no evidence of such disabilities during her active duty service or within one year of separation from any period of active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and insomnia) on secondary basis to service-connected fibromyalgia. Service connection is also granted for bilateral shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, bilateral hip disabilities (bursitis and limitation of abduction), and lumbar spine disability.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's cervical and thoracic spine disabilities need further evaluation due to a lack of recent VA treatment records and an outdated examination.