Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder and lumbar spine disorder are now considered service-connected.,The Veteran's right ankle disorder is also now considered service-connected.

The Veteran's GERD was granted service connection as it manifested during active duty. The cervical spine disability, left knee disability, and left foot hammertoe residuals are remanded for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's neck disability and mid/low back disability. The left hip condition issue is remanded due to lack of a diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and left hip disability (secondary to lumbar spine disability) due to insufficient evidence. A VA examination is required to determine if these disabilities are related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed cervical spine disability, spondylotic myelopathy, and obstructive sleep apnea. The issues are related as they involve diagnoses that may be secondary to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining treatment records from Vet Centers and SSA examination reports. The issues of higher staged initial ratings for PTSD and TDIU prior to February 10, 2014 are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding various service-connected disabilities, as well as for additional records to be obtained. The claims are not related to a specific exposure basis or the PACT Act.

The Board has remanded the claims for neck disability and right upper extremity disability due to inadequate opinions from previous VA examinations. The Veteran's current disabilities are being evaluated again with new evidence.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities, as well as his erectile dysfunction. The issues include increased ratings for these conditions and service connection for erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's appeal for right elbow disability was withdrawn prior to the Board's decision.,There is no evidence of a current disability manifested by muscle spasms or bilateral hip disability. The Veteran has not been shown to have these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU. The VA examinations are inadequate for the issues of increased ratings for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is due to injury suffered during active military service. The lung and neck disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of onset or causation related to service.

The Board denied service connection for gout, cervical spine disability, left eye disability, and gastrointestinal disability. The Veteran's gout was not caused by military service.,The Board denied service connection for cervical spine disability, finding no evidence of a current disability related to an in-service injury or event. The Veteran’s assault did not cause his current cervical spine disabilities.

Service connection for cholelithiasis (gallstones), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and cervical spine disability is denied.,The Veteran's claims for these conditions are based on direct service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations, as well as a retrospective medical opinion regarding her ability to work prior to July 2, 2015.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was aggravated by his service, and he is now rated at the maximum disability rating for this condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability. The remaining issues of service connection for left hip, left foot, and right foot disabilities are remanded due to lack of objective clinical tests supporting the Veteran's claims. Additionally, the cervical spine, bilateral knee, and cervical radiculopathy disabilities require new VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for left and right shoulder disabilities, as well as cervical spine disability due to additional contentions raised by the Veteran regarding her service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his cervical disability was denied. He was previously rated at 20 percent and now receives a 30 percent rating effective from September 14, 2011 to March 20, 2015.