Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the cases due to the Veteran's allegation of increased severity since previous examinations and for issues related to a compensable rating for scalp lacerations and service connection for a left shoulder disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his degenerative disk disease of the lumbar spine and cervical spine have been denied. The evidence does not support a higher rating in either case.,The Veteran has reported constant back pain, but the medical records do not show ankylosis or incapacitating episodes that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, right knee condition, hypertension, and heart condition (coronary artery disease) as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracic strain, degenerative disc disease of cervical spine, left ankle strain, and left knee patellar femoral pain syndrome as there is no evidence to support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding whether new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen a claim of service connection for duodenal ulcer, entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for cervical disc disease, secondary service connection for headaches, and secondary service connection for depression. The Veteran's earlier effective date for TDIU was granted on September 8, 2008.

The Veteran's hypertension claim was denied, and the cervical spine disorder and lumbar spine disorder claims were granted as secondary to his service-connected epilepsy disability.,Service connection for a heart disorder is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding treatment records and additional medical opinions are needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to his service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as new examinations are needed and additional evidence may affect these determinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to his service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as new examinations are needed and additional evidence may affect these determinations.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for a neck disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to outstanding VA, SSA, and private treatment records that need to be obtained.

The Board has denied service connection for neck and upper back disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to service or any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period.,The Veteran was granted a temporary total evaluation for convalescence after his cervical spine surgery, but this has since expired. The Board finds that more than 2 months of convalescence were not required and thus denies the extension of the temporary total rating.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right hand disability, low back disability, and neck disability. The claim for increased rating for arthritis, left ankle residuals is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his cervical spine degenerative disc disease is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's cervical spine disability and determine if there is additional range of motion loss due to flare-ups.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a cervical or lumbar spine disability that is incurred in, due to or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran’s current condition is not related to her in-service injury.

The Veteran's right elbow disorder, cervical spine disorder, left hip disorder, and left leg disorder are all remanded for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss (right ear) and right ear disorder are also remanded for further examination and opinion.,Additional records from the National Guard, private medical providers, and military hospitals are needed to verify the Veteran’s service periods.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and cervical spine disorder, as these issues require additional development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine strain, sciatica of the left lower extremity, and sciatica of the right lower extremity are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations that comply with VA examination guidelines.