Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine and DDD of the cervical spine were dismissed by the Board in May 2014. The appeals are without legal merit, and must be dismissed.,Effective dates prior to July 10, 2003, for service connection of radiculopathy of the right lower extremity and radiculopathy of the left upper extremity were denied. Effective dates of August 16, 2006, but no earlier, for these disabilities were granted.,The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity prior to October 25, 2012, and from October 25, 2012, was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder and remanded the issues of increased rating for a spine disability (lumbar and cervical) and service connection for a bilateral arm disability.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability has not met the criteria for a higher rating than 10 percent, as his forward flexion is within normal limits and he does not have muscle spasms or guarding severe enough to result in abnormal gait or spinal contour.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for right hip, neck, and lumbar spine disabilities. His acquired psychiatric disorder is also found to be related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates, but remanded several issues related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for cervical spine disability, radiculopathy/peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, and erectile dysfunction due to in-service injury or disease. The Veteran's current conditions are not shown to be related to his period of active duty.,Service connection was denied for migraine headaches secondary to a service-connected concussion.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection and increased evaluations, including obtaining updated treatment records from Landstuhl Regional Medical Center and providing new VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence in the record regarding his claimed cervical spine disability, bilateral radiculopathy, and headaches. The VA is instructed to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to evaluate these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases due to new evidence being added to the file and the Veteran not waiving RO review of this evidence. The issues on appeal are now to be readjudicated by the RO.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spondylosis, Meniere’s disease, obstructive sleep apnea, red splotches on back of neck, left carpal tunnel syndrome, and right carpal tunnel syndrome due to insufficient evidence addressing all potential paths for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine disability, cervical spine (neck) disability, and obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's current conditions are considered to be at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment, specially adapted housing, or a special home adaptation grant.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 are being remanded due to the need to determine if a VA physician performed the initial cervical spine surgery at a non-VA facility or if the non-VA facility meets the requirements to be considered a VA facility, and whether the Veteran's conditions were reasonably foreseeable events.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities due to outstanding VA examinations not having been scheduled.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his claim for TDIU prior to March 13, 2017 was granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right ear disorder, temporary total evaluation based on surgical treatment for the right ear in 2007, an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for cervical spine degenerative joint disease with disc space narrowing and mild spondylosis, an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for left knee degenerative joint disease prior to June 1, 2016 (excluding a temporary total evaluation from April 28, 2015, to May 31, 2016), and an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for residuals of a total left knee replacement on or after June 1, 2016.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a neck disorder, left wrist disorder, and diabetes mellitus type II due to insufficient evidence in some cases.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine disability and headaches as secondary to a cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's service records do not show any complaints, treatment, or diagnoses for left clavicle and right ankle disorders. The only evidence of these conditions is a post-service motor vehicle accident in 2007.,For cervical spine, lumbar spine, and knee disorders, the Veteran has current diagnoses but there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.