Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for a separate compensable rating for his service-connected cervical spine disability is granted, with the effective date being subject to law and regulations governing the payment of monetary benefits. The Board also found that he was entitled to an increased rating for his IVDS.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back and cervical spine disabilities, as well as bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's knee and spinal disabilities, including increased ratings for right knee osteochondritis dessicans and instability, left knee osteochondritis dessicans, service connection for degenerative changes in the thoracolumbar spine, and service connection for degenerative changes in the cervical spine. The claims are remanded due to new evidence and need further examination.

The Board is remanding the case due to VA's failure to assist in obtaining private medical records from Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, which may be relevant to the cause of death.

The Veteran's cervical dysplasia claim is denied as there are no residuals. The initial compensable rating for service-connected hemorrhoids is also denied due to the current severity not meeting criteria for a higher rating. Service connection for pelvic relaxation and urinary incontinence is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 30 percent, and his right knee instability is rated at 20 percent. The appeal for increased ratings or TDIU was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for irradiating pain from the cervical area to the right shoulder as secondary to service-connected cervical spine disorder, but denied service connection for degenerative changes of the right shoulder with impingement.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for alopecia, vitamin D deficiency, costochondritis, and uveitis of the right eye have been denied as there is no evidence that these conditions are related to his military service.,Service connection was also denied for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), hypertension, a cervical spine disability, and right arm arthritis. The Veteran's claims were not supported by medical evidence linking these conditions to his time in the military.

The Board denied service connection for a liver disability and denied initial compensable ratings for scars of the head, neck, face, left abdomen scar (status post punch biopsy for melanoma), and left shoulder scar (status post melanoma removal and surgery).,The appellant did not have a current liver disability at any point during the appeal period. The Board found that his scars met criteria for a 30 percent rating but no higher.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are related to his active service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has reopened the claims for bipolar disorder and cervical spine disorder with associated neurological disorder of the upper extremities, but denied service connection for weight problems. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule VA examinations.

The Veteran's cervical spine and bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation due to complaints of worsening symptoms.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including bilateral hearing loss, cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, left and right thigh disabilities, left and right knee disabilities, tinnitus, and GERD. The remaining issues are pending further examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 10% and granted for a period from September 11, 2017 to November 9, 2017. Service connection for right upper extremity radiculopathy and left upper extremity radiculopathy are denied. The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine degenerative disc disease is not rated higher than 10%.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated as 100 percent disabling, and he has additional disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent. He is also granted special monthly compensation at the housebound rate due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal conditions, including lower back and cervical spine disabilities, bilateral shoulder, hip, leg, knee, Achilles tendon, ankle, and foot disabilities. The claims are being returned to VA for additional development.

The Veteran's cervical spine strain with DDD and spinal stenosis, right knee PFS with DJD, and left knee PFS with DJD are currently rated at 10 percent each. The Board found the evidence insufficient to warrant a higher rating.,Right and left knee conditions have been rated based on their current manifestations without considering any potential aggravation of pre-existing conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection due to new evidence of worsening symptoms, need for additional VA examinations, and potential secondary service connection issues.

The Veteran's TBI was granted, and the effective date is September 26, 2007.,Tinnitus has a maximum rating of 10 percent, which is already assigned. No higher ratings are available.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to uncertainty about the Veteran's intention regarding his appeal. The cervical spine disability is being examined further as it may be related to service-connected diabetes or secondary to neuropathy.