Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2018

The Board denied compensation for a cervical spine disability and left knee arthritis under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 1151 due to lack of additional disability resulting from the July 2008 fall.

The Veteran's cervical spine strain with disc bulge is rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The right shoulder DJD and both knee chondromalacia conditions are each rated at 10 percent.

Service connection for a cervical spine disability, bilateral hip disability, and bilateral knee disability is denied.,The evidence does not establish that these disabilities are related to the Veteran's active service.

The Board denied service connection for a TMJ disability and denied compensable ratings before June 25, 2014 and in excess of 10 percent since that date for TBI residuals. The left shoulder disability claim is remanded.

Your claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and complete a VA Form 21-4142 for names of physicians who treated you.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's VA benefits should be reduced by $435.00 due to drill pay received in fiscal year 2012, and this decision is upheld. The issue of service connection for a cervical spine disability remains pending as further evidence is needed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and unilateral spondylosis of the L5 pars and lumbar facet syndrome with minor degenerative changes of the thoracic spine, finding that her pre-existing conditions were not aggravated by active duty.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability, including cervical spondylosis, finding that the Veteran's current condition did not begin during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine disability, neurological disabilities of bilateral upper extremities, left hip disability, bilateral knee disability, and left foot disability as there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete information about the appellant's active duty periods.

The claims for aid and attendance, left shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, hypertension, cervical myofascial pain syndrome/right trapezius myositis, migraine headaches, unspecified depressive disorder, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and information.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to insufficient evidence in the record. The VA is required to provide a medical examination and opinion that addresses all raised theories of entitlement, including secondary service connection.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, with no evidence of worsening since the last examination in August 2009.,Prior to January 9, 2017, the Veteran's cervical spine scar and left hip scar were each rated as noncompensable. After January 9, 2017, both scars are rated as 10 percent disabling due to their painful nature.,The Veteran's left knee disability was initially granted a 10 percent rating from September 1, 2009 through February 2, 2010. After this period, the Veteran is not entitled to an increased rating beyond 10 percent.,No new evidence of service connection or exposure basis was provided in this decision.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral otitis media were evaluated. The cervical spine disorder was denied service connection due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service. Bilateral hearing loss did not meet criteria for a compensable rating. Bilateral otitis media received the maximum schedular rating. For lumbar spine disability prior to July 8, 2015, a 40% rating was granted; since then, no higher rating is warranted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a typographical error in the description of the claims on appeal and because the Veteran identified relevant outstanding private treatment records. The VA will request these records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, but the effective dates are set at September 13, 2001. The Board has also remanded his cases for further development and examination.

The Board has denied a higher disability rating for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection of left-wrist, cervical-spine, low-back, and left-knee disorders due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives, and a new medical opinion is needed that considers the Veteran's lay testimony of falling off a table during his 1976 hernia surgery.