Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Veteran's TDIU and SMC claims were denied as his service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating or SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine condition has been remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his current disability. The Veteran is also granted a 30 percent rating for GERD/hernia hiatal.,A VA examination will be scheduled to determine if the Veteran's current cervical spine condition is related to service, including any chronic neck pain reported in service.

The Veteran's low back disorder is rated at 40 percent from July 1, 2011 to August 15, 2018.,Prior to September 17, 2013, the Veteran’s cervical spine disorder was rated at 10 percent. From September 17, 2013, it is rated at 20 percent.,The Veteran's left knee sprain and right knee strain are each rated at 10 percent from July 1, 2011 to August 15, 2018.,Prior to April 5, 2017, the Veteran is granted a TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for colorectal adenocarcinoma and gout, finding that the evidence does not support a link to active duty service. The right testicular varicocele, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, left knee disability (tendinosis), and right knee disability (tendinosis and chondromalacia) claims are remanded for further development.,The appellant's current diagnoses include colorectal adenocarcinoma, gout, a right testicular varicocele, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, left knee tendinosis, and right knee tendinosis and chondromalacia. The Board has found that these conditions are not related to active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical spine disability and right upper extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's injuries were related to his service-connected PTSD and the medical emergency was deemed hazardous, warranting payment for unauthorized medical expenses incurred at St. John’s Medical Center in Longview, Washington from February 20, 1999 to February 23, 1999.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot disorder, cervical dysplasia, and residuals of a hysterectomy have been reopened. However, the Board found that there is no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's claims for right upper extremity thrombosis, PFB, bilateral hearing loss, sinus condition (including sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and sore throat), cervical spine disability with associated left upper extremity radiculopathy, lumbar spine disability with associated right lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral arm and hand disability, and residuals of an oral surgery are all denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine degenerative changes and headaches are not related to his military service, but the claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck pain and cervical strain, finding no evidence of an in-service incurrence or a nexus to her service-connected thoracolumbar strain.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, tension headaches, cervical spine IVDS with DDD, LUE radiculopathy, RUE radiculopathy, and sleep disorder has been granted. The effective date of service connection is set at June 19, 2013. A rating of 50 percent for tension headaches is also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development and consideration, including obtaining medical records, conducting examinations, and addressing service connection issues.

The Veteran's application to reopen a claim for service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with radiculopathy was granted. The rating for chronic bronchitis remains at noncompensable (0%). Service connection for a sleep disorder other than apnea is remanded.,Effective dates prior to October 15, 2015 were denied for cervical strain, right knee arthritis with meniscal tear and patella chondromalacia, and tinnitus service connection claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are now pending. The Board has found new and material evidence to support the reopening of these claims.,The Veteran is granted TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied prior to August 3, 2016 and remanded for further evaluation of his TDIU claim from August 3, 2016 to August 16, 2018.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease was rated at 20 percent prior to October 29, 2007 and from February 1, 2008. The Board denied an increased rating as the disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was rated at 10 percent prior to October 13, 2017. The evidence did not show forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 15 degrees but not more than 40 degrees or a combined range of motion less than 170 degrees.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and lack of relevant VA treatment records. The issues include back, neck, asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, and cephalgia disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck and low back disabilities due to insufficient evidence in the record, particularly regarding his reported in-service injuries as a radio operator in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right hip, left hip, neck and back disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's service treatment records include references to a motorcycle accident and surf rescue injuries. Further examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.