Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for cervical degenerative joint disease, lumbar spine degenerative joint disease and spondylosis, erectile dysfunction, and headaches.,Reasoning: The Veteran's service treatment records document multiple episodes of neck pain and back strain during service. Post-service x-rays also show degenerative changes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and cervical/lumbar spine disabilities due to inadequate etiology opinions in prior decisions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have made it impossible for him to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment throughout the appeal period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU in April 2014, and later granted it with an effective date of February 20, 2015. The Veteran requested an earlier effective date, but the Board found no legal entitlement to such.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim of service connection for a neck disability and remanded several other issues due to the need for additional evidence. The Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss, ear infections, sinus infections, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus (secondary to left ear hearing loss), and left cholesteatoma are also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's cervical spine disorder and his service, as well as its relation to his service-connected lumbar spine fusion.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, but denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine DDD and bilateral flatfeet, claiming as metatarsalgia. The new evidence supports that these conditions began during active service or within one year of discharge.,Resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, his cervical spine DDD and bilateral flatfeet are now considered to have been incurred during service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a higher rating for right shoulder strain/impingement syndrome. Other claims are not in appellate status.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted service connection and found to be aggravated by her PTSD. Service connection for uterine cancer is denied as there is no current diagnosis. The Veteran's pelvic inflammatory disease does not require continuous treatment, while cervical cancer residuals with hysterectomy are currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and relationship of his claimed disabilities to service. The issues include left elbow, cervical spine, left knee, right knee, cervical radiculopathy of the upper extremities, and radiculopathy of the lower extremities.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's cervical spine disability may be related to service, but needs further evidence to make a determination. The case is sent back for an addendum opinion from a VA clinician.

The Board has granted service connection for low back and neck disabilities, finding that the current conditions are related to an in-service fall.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for cervical strain has been denied. The current rating of 10 percent is maintained as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Veteran's cervical strain is related to a service vehicle accident, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's motion to vacate their March 1, 2019 decision and denied a higher disability rating for his service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities have been granted. The VA is directed to schedule the Veteran for examinations to address the nature and etiology of each disability, with consideration of his recent assertions and treatment reports pertaining to pre-service injury.

The Veteran's bladder condition is not diagnosed, and his hip, shoulder, and neck disabilities have been remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis is rated as 50 percent disabling. The claims for higher ratings for the thoracolumbar and cervical spine disabilities are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to a single service-connected disability, finding that her combined impact of multiple service-connected disabilities rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.