Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran is granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis from August 21, 2006, but no earlier. The effective date of the grant of TDIU was determined to be August 21, 2006.

The Board has denied service connection for lumbar spine disability, weakness of the right and left lower extremities secondary to lumbar spine disability, chronic fatigue syndrome, and cervical spine disability. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.,Service connection was denied as there is no evidence that any of these conditions began during or were aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, lumbar spine, and left knee disabilities due to outstanding VA treatment records that have not been associated with the claims file. The Veteran is required to provide names and addresses of any relevant medical providers and updated VA treatment records are needed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates, but granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to June 16, 2015, and for ratings in excess of 40 percent thereafter has been withdrawn. The remaining issues - service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, and sacroiliac disabilities - are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee disorder and cervical spine disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to active service. Service connection for psychiatric disorder (PTSD) was also granted based on an established in-service stressor.

The Veteran's initial rating for a lumbar spine disability prior to September 9, 2013 was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating.,A rating greater than 20 percent from September 9, 2013 for a cervical spine disability was also denied due to lack of incapacitating episodes and existing range of motion findings.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical and lumbar spine due to insufficient evidence in the April 2010 VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, and neck disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active duty.

The Board has remanded multiple claims for earlier effective dates due to the receipt of additional relevant evidence.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and SMC were denied. The RO granted service connection for depressive disorder, GERD, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension with specific effective dates.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on several service-connected conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing her appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, hepatitis C, and arthritis due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's diabetes and hepatitis are being evaluated for potential secondary service connection with other conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further evidentiary development due to inadequate examination of the Veteran's neck disability.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current disability of the neck, bilateral foot, back, or psychiatric (PTSD) conditions. The claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The Veteran's cervical spine condition is being reviewed, and additional records are needed from VA and private sources.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and diabetes mellitus have been granted service connection. The Veteran's right shoulder, left shoulder, and cervical spine disabilities are denied as not related to service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased initial ratings on multiple conditions have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disability and TBI was denied, while his claim for an initial compensable rating for headaches was granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran should be provided VA examinations to assess the current severity and manifestations of his service-connected low back strain, cervical spine disabilities, left shoulder rotator cuff, left arm soft tissue injury with tendon involvement, migraine headaches, and hypertension. The evaluations will help determine if an increased rating is warranted for these conditions.