Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disability, right hand trigger finger, and left hand trigger finger due to inadequate examinations and incomplete evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have asbestosis and that any mild intermittent asthma was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The issues of increased rating for left elbow bursitis, service connection for cervical disability, and service connection for OSA are remanded due to inadequate examination reports.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus, neck disability, left arm numbness and tingling, and right arm numbness and tingling as they are not related to service. The case is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's low back disability.

The Veteran's acquired cervical spine disability, chest pains and/or thoracic outlet syndrome, and erectile dysfunction are all granted as service connected.,Service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability is remanded due to insufficient rationale in the May 2017 VA examination report.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder, cervical spine, and lumbar spine conditions due to inadequate VA examinations. Additional records are needed, including service treatment records from motor vehicle accidents in service, and new examinations and opinions are required.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for the Veteran's major depressive disorder with PTSD and alcohol abuse, but granted a TDIU based on his combined disability ratings. The case is being remanded to address the left shoulder condition and cervical spine issue.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for throat/neck disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), and lower back disability. Additional examinations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the severity of his service-connected cervical spine, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.,Service connection claims for left knee disorder, headaches, psychiatric disorder, nausea, and vertigo are also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for right fifth metacarpal fracture with arthritis, and denied entitlement to higher initial ratings for degenerative joint and disc disease of the cervical spine, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and coronary artery disease.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded because the current service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU. The Board has referred the case to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that more evidence is needed to determine if his conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining his service medical records and considering all relevant evidence. The Veteran's current disabilities are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to outstanding VA treatment records and unscannable documents. The cervical spine disability claim is also being remanded for a new opinion.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine as there was no evidence of an in-service injury or condition, and no continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete medical records. The main reasons for remanding are for new examinations, especially concerning the lumbar spine and allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for hemorrhoids and GERD have been dismissed. The appeal for tinnitus has been partially granted with a 10% rating prior to February 27, 2018, but denied thereafter. Appeals for wrist disabilities, knee disabilities, ankle disabilities, and cervical spine disability are remanded.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is not related to service and did not manifest within one year of separation from service.,The Veteran's cervical spine or neck disability is not related to service and did not manifest within one year of separation from service.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical disability and depression, finding no evidence of in-service injury or diagnosis related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before a decision on the merits may be made regarding increased disability ratings for the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and hip disability. The Veteran was last provided a VA examination relating to his service-connected disabilities in September 2014, nearly four years ago. In light of the Veteran’s assertions, new VA examinations are required so that the current nature and severity of his service-connected disabilities may be determined.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 30 percent, and his lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of these disabilities.