Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's PTSD is not service connected as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,The Veteran's right elbow, cervical spondylosis with left radiculopathy, lumbar spondylosis L4-L5, paroxysmal atrial tachycardia, and CTS are not service connected as they are not related to his service-connected right knee tear of the lateral and medial meniscus.

The Veteran's claim for a bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis under VA regulation.,Claims for increased ratings for cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities were remanded due to insufficient medical evidence or lack of clear and unmistakable error (CUE).,Service connection claims for digestive disorder, joint pain, skin condition, traumatic brain injury, and right great toe bunionectomy residuals were also remanded.,The Veteran withdrew his claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus and for a compensable disability rating for scars (claimed as neck fusion surgical scar, bunionectomy scar).

The Veteran's claim for service connection of degenerative disc disease of the cervical and lumbar spine is being remanded due to a scheduling issue with his requested hearing.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disability and bilateral arm disability, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that could be linked to the current conditions.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, including as due to his service-connected cervical spine and right shoulder disorders. The issue of extending a temporary total rating for right shoulder surgery convalescence beyond October 31, 2006 is considered moot.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current cervical spine disability is related to her service or to her service-connected shoulder disabilities. The VA examiner will need to provide a new opinion on this issue.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and obstructive sleep apnea. The claims for reopening of service connection for headaches, back condition, appendicitis, cervical spine disorder, and lumbar spine disorder have been granted.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine, low back, bilateral hip, and neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities disabilities as they are not shown to be related to military service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection and increased ratings for various conditions, including cervical spine disability, right knee instability, right knee strain, scarring on the neck, scarring on the hand and forearm, and depressive disorder. The claims have been dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude her from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to insufficient opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current disabilities and his service, as well as their relation to any service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including whether they are related to service or other factors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence in his service treatment records, and requests additional opinions from VA examiners regarding whether any current disabilities are related to his active military service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to have been incurred in service, and the claim for service connection for this condition is granted.,The issue of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, PTSD, left shoulder disorder, and cervical spine disorder have been denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence being added to his file and a need for further examination. The issues include service connection for prostatism, right shoulder DJD, cervical spine DJD, lumbar spine DJD with left leg sciatica, and lichen simplex chronicus of the right temple.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is granted service connection.,A rating of 20 percent for chondromalacia patella of the left knee based on lateral instability and/or subluxation is granted prior to July 14, 2008, and as of November 1, 2008. An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for arthritis of the left knee based on limitation of motion is denied prior to April 27, 2016, and a separate rating of 20 percent for a left meniscal disorder is granted as of November 1, 2008.,The Veteran's PID claim was referred but not adjudicated. The maximum schedular rating for bilateral flatfeet has been assigned.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a disability evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his cervical spine disability due to inadequate examination reports and failure to consider functional loss.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 30 percent, but no higher, for left knee chondromalacia with degenerative arthritis is granted. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating due to the presence of flare-ups during which he cannot use his knee at all.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral shoulder condition, cervical spine condition, and headaches (secondary to PTSD and/or service-connected conditions) have been granted. The case is remanded for a new examination to address the secondary service connection claim.