Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for updated evidence of current severity and a comprehensive opinion on his ability to work.

The Board has decided that the reduction of the rating for cervical spine disability from 20 percent to 10 percent, effective March 1, 2011 was not proper and restoration of 20 percent evaluation is granted. The low back condition and right shoulder disability issues are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability and an increased evaluation for his cervical spine disability need further development due to incomplete records and inadequate examination reports. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, provide updated VA examinations, and consider all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's initial increased rating for cervical spine strain with degenerative changes at C6-7 is denied.,The Veteran's increased rating for left hip degenerative joint disease (limitation on flexion) is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development and examination due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his conditions.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with anxious features is granted as secondary to service-connected cervical strain, migraines disorder, and tinnitus.,Left ear hearing loss has been granted based on in-service noise exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence in some cases, and requests that additional treatment records be obtained. The Veteran is not granted service connection for all of his claimed conditions as more evidence is needed.

The claims of service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disorders, hearing loss, tinnitus, migraine headaches, heart disorder, and high blood pressure have been remanded due to the need for additional development.,New evidence has not reopened previously denied claims of service connection for a traumatic brain injury (TBI), blurry vision, and blepharospasm.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including cervical spine disability, back disability, bilateral foot disability, tinnitus, sleep disability, chest disability, diabetes mellitus (to include as secondary to herbicide exposure), TBI, hypertension, and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy have all been denied. The dental condition claim has also been referred for adjudication.

The Veteran's service connection claims for Multiple Sclerosis, a left lower extremity disorder, cervical spine disorder, and lumbar spine disorder are all granted.

The claim to reopen service connection for nerve impingement of the right shoulder is granted, and the claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence, particularly regarding neurological manifestations such as radiculopathy and headaches associated with the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disorder.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is granted due to his service-connected disabilities. The cervical spine issue and the lumbar spine rating in excess of 40 percent are remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's back, neck, and extremity disabilities. The claims for fibromyalgia, cervical strain, spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine with scoliosis, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, shoulder disabilities, and hip disabilities are all being reviewed due to incomplete medical records from her service at Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical strain and spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine with scoliosis also require further examination as per Correia v. McDonald, 28 Vet. App. 158 (2016).

The Veteran's service connection claims for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as his right foot, cervical spine, right hip, and right leg disabilities are granted. The Veteran’s right wrist disability claim is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various knee, shoulder, elbow, and spine disabilities have been denied. The effective dates for the initial ratings of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral) and left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral), as well as for the initial rating of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic) and left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic), have been amended to October 21, 2014.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the VA criteria for establishing a hearing loss disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.385, and therefore his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss must be denied. The cases of low back disorder, cervical spine disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depression) are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of any cervical spine disability, thoracic spine disability, service-connected lumbar spine disability, lower extremity radiculopathy, and left shoulder disability. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the TDIU claim.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, neck disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims for left knee disability, left hip disability, and right hip disability have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to additional relevant evidence being added to his claims file.