Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2018

The appeal for a compensable initial evaluation for hemorrhoids is dismissed. The appeals for service connection for sleep apnea, a rating in excess of 20 percent for surgical incision of the right heel from September 23, 2009, entitlement to a compensable initial evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, and service connection for a neck disability are all REMANDED.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his cervical spine disability and for a TDIU prior to February 26, 2014 due to lack of compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran must be scheduled for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Board has determined that the VA treatment records from October 2010 to the present have not been obtained and are needed for a complete evaluation of the Veteran's claims. The Veteran is asked to provide information about any private medical providers who may have treated her, especially those at Eagles Landing Family Practice.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has met the schedular criteria for assignment of a TDIU for the entire period on appeal. The Veteran’s neck disability and respiratory disability are remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the issues of increased rating for bilateral foot disability, service connection for lower back disability, cervical spine disability, and left lower extremity peripheral vascular disease.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine osteoarthritis, bilateral pes planus, and PTSD are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The cervical spine disorder and lumbar spine disorder, as well as bilateral pes planus, are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional examinations and review of records, as well as addressing issues related to TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disability and a right knee disability, including painful scars, as the evidence did not establish that these conditions began during service or were related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability (torticollis) was previously denied in July 1971, and new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim.,Service connection for hyperlipidemia is not warranted as it does not constitute a recognized disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted. However, the claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, resulting in the grant of TDIU. The SMC based on loss of use claim is remanded for further consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient notice on secondary service connection, incomplete private treatment records, and need for further medical examinations. The issues include bilateral ankle disability, bilateral foot disability, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, migraine headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder, all potentially related to her service-connected right distal femur fracture residuals.

The Board has remanded multiple issues related to service connection for various disabilities, including shoulder, back, hip, knee, and foot disabilities, as well as a psychiatric disability. The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess his right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his military service and have denied all of his claims for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder, right knee, lower back, and neck disabilities. The Veteran's claim for a left foot disability was granted. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine condition and whether VA treatment caused or contributed to his current disability. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and right leg radiculopathy, but denied service connection for cervical spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), and elevated cholesterol levels.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and requires further development including a determination of when the Veteran was on active duty for training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty training (INACDUTRA).