Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

Service connection is granted for lipoma scars of neck. Temporary total ratings are denied for left shoulder and right shoulder surgeries. A temporary total rating is granted for April 2015 right shoulder surgery. The Veteran's multiple lipomas with residual scars, including newly service-connected lipoma scars of neck, are rated as a single disability. Other claims are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine disorder, Bell's palsy, and acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression) due to inadequate examinations in previous decisions. The Veteran is required to be provided with new VA examinations to address the etiology of his conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bladder disability, respiratory disorder, cervical spine disability with bilateral hand numbness, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is dismissed. The claims for a cervical spine disability and related bilateral hand numbness, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are remanded. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim that the characterization of service for the time period from June 5, 1989 to May 7, 1993 is a bar to VA benefits is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and neck disabilities have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to decide these claims.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a chronic respiratory disorder, cervical spine disorder, and left knee disorder have been denied. The Board has found that the evidence does not show any current diagnosis of these conditions.,Service connection was also denied for bilateral ankle disorders and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's application to reopen a claim of service connection for bilateral eye disability was granted. Service connection for bilateral cervical myelopathy of the upper extremities, secondary to cervical strain with traumatic arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, is also granted.,The Veteran requires assistance in accomplishing activities of daily living due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the veteran's current conditions are related to his periods of active duty training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty training (INACDUTRA).

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with the rating for cervical spine disorder and service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is currently rated at 30 percent from February 22, 2013 onward.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and other issues have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding the nature and severity of his spine degenerative arthritis, left shoulder strain, cervical spine disability, right foot degenerative arthritis, and acquired psychiatric condition. The VA also needs to obtain SSA records and update treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and lumbar spine, finding that there is a continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with sciatica of the left lower extremity and cervical spondylosis, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise with regard to showing these conditions are associated with the Veteran's service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical and lumbar spine conditions, as well as neurological disorder of bilateral upper extremities and radiculopathy of bilateral lower extremities. Service connection for erectile dysfunction is denied.

The Veteran's right wrist and cervical spine disorders are being remanded for additional examinations to determine their severity and etiology, as well as for the submission of any outstanding medical records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disorders due to insufficient examination findings regarding secondary service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and review of medical evidence, particularly related to the Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with anxiety, migraine headaches, or lumbosacral spine strain disabilities. The goal is to determine if any current cervical spine disability is related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right hand disability separate and distinct from his already service-connected cervical spine and right upper extremity disabilities. Therefore, service connection for a right hand disability is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from engaging in the acts of gainful employment prior to July 25, 2011.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding no probative medical evidence that the Veteran's current condition was incurred in or related to his military service.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to her service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and fibromyalgia.