Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of a cervical spine disability due to inadequate reasoning in the previous decision and the need for an adequate medical opinion.

The Veteran's lumbosacral and cervical spine disabilities are rated at 40% and 30%, respectively, with no higher ratings granted.,Radiculopathy of the left lower extremity associated with thoracolumbar spine disability is rated at 10%. Radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is also rated at 10%, but only from December 4, 2008 to January 16, 2018. Radiculopathy of the left upper and right upper extremities are both rated at 10%.,GERD with stomach ulcers is rated at 30%. Recurrent sinusitis is rated at 10%, and neuroma of the tip of the left thumb, post partial evulsion with repair, remains rated at 10%.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, finding no medical nexus between his current conditions and service. The Veteran's claim for residuals of a traumatic brain injury is remanded due to insufficient evidence in the examination reports.

The Board denied a higher disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability, finding that the evidence did not show limited forward flexion to no greater than 15 degrees or ankylosis of the entire cervical spine.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU. The missing records, including VA treatment records prior to January 2012 and from August 2018 to present, as well as any further education, training, and employment information since November 2011, need to be obtained. Additionally, the Veteran needs to undergo new VA examinations for his service-connected psychiatric disorder, TMJ dysfunction, gastroesophageal disability, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his service connection claim for a cervical spine disability was granted. Service connection for residuals of back injury and stroke were denied, as well as the dental condition (loss of teeth). The case is remanded for further review on the cervical spine issue.

The Board denied the Veteran's service connection claim for a right knee disability, and also remanded his increased rating claims for cervical strain and lumbosacral strain.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndromes as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right foot disability. The cervical disorder and major depression with anxious mood are also granted on a secondary basis.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's earlier effective date claims for lumbar spine and lower extremity disabilities, as well as her service connection claims for a right shoulder disability (secondary to left shoulder) and a left eye disability. The issues of service connection for residuals of a head injury (to include headaches) and a neck disability were decided in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus and granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, migraine headaches, sleep apnea, tinnitus, cervical spine injury, lumbar spine condition, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, heart condition, prostate condition, left foot condition, right foot condition, and seizure disorder. The Veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus is granted.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that the evidence does not support a causal relationship between the Veteran's cervical spine condition and his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple conditions has been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and examinations.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims related to PTSD, cervical strain, sleep apnea, degenerative joint disease of the right ankle, and tension headaches. The VA will obtain relevant medical records and schedule the Veteran for examinations to assess his current disability levels.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including upper and lower back disability, neck disability, left leg disability, right leg disability, bilateral eye disability, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Barrett's esophagus, coronary artery disease, aortic aneurysm, prostate cancer, and thyroid disability. The Board found no current diagnoses for these conditions.

The Veteran's cervical spine arthritis, stricture of the rectum and anus, ulcerative colitis with Pouchitis, and hemorrhoids have been granted service connection. The Veteran is now rated at 100% for his stricture of the rectum and anus.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from January 11, 2008. The Board has remanded the issue of an increased rating for his left ankle disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to his severe pain, numbness, and limited mobility.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection of left hip, right hip, and right shoulder disabilities due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial. The claims are now remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her cervical spine disability was denied as her range of motion did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. Her claim for TDIU was also denied due to her failure to submit requested information and forms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, cervicalgia, and migraines with tension headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.