Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for tailbone, right hip, left hip, and neck disabilities. Service connection for peripheral artery disease is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for left foot hallux valgus, hammertoes, plantar fasciitis, and arthritis, GERD, and left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy and cervico-trapezial myofascitis. The right upper extremity disability is also granted as secondary to the service-connected cervical strain with degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's neck condition is granted a 10 percent rating as of August 1, 2011. The claim for an increased rating remains in controversy and the case is remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for postherpetic neuralgia involving the right ear and entitlement to a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran needs a new VA examination for his postherpetic neuralgia involving the right ear, and his claim for TDIU will be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration.

The Veteran's initial ratings for service-connected lumbar facet degeneration with sclerosis and DDD, left knee strain, bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, cervical spine (neck) disability with muscle spasms, left shoulder disability with nerve damage, and left hip disability have all been denied.

The Veteran's hypertension was granted service connection, effective October 13, 2016.,Claims for left knee disability, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and PTSD were also granted, but the effective date is set at October 13, 2016.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective November 21, 2014. His RLE radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve is rated at 20 percent since that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for back, left knee, right knee, and neck disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder, bilateral fallen arches/flat feet, and cervical spine disorder have been granted service connection.,The Veteran's left knee disorder is being remanded for further review.

The Veteran's service connection claims for cervical spine disability, left foot disability, migraine disability, right hand disability, CFS, and GI disabilities (IBS and GERD) have been granted. The claim for erectile dysfunction as secondary to PTSD has also been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes and therefore, service connection is denied. The cervical spine and thoracic spine disabilities as well as TBI residuals are remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons and bases in its previous decision, specifically regarding a VA examination report from April 2018. The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical and lumbar spines, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left-hand index finger disability is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or treatment related to this condition.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and cervical spine disorder are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder is also remanded.

The Veteran's cervical spine strain is currently rated at 20 percent, effective June 8, 2010. The Board found that the Veteran’s radiculopathy of the upper extremities associated with his cervical spine strain warrants separate ratings of 20 percent each since June 8, 2010.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, cervical spine disability, and right ankle disability due to inadequate opinions regarding secondary service connection. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions on a secondary basis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability, cervical spine disability with left upper extremity radiculopathy, hypertension, and psychiatric disability due to outstanding inpatient/clinical records from March 1976 to May 1977 at Orlando Naval Hospital. The VA is instructed to attempt to obtain these records directly from the hospital.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that the evidence received since the last final denial is not new and material.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to a lumbar spine disability is granted. The claims for initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, rating in excess of 60 percent for a lumbar spine disability, and a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to February 5, 2016 and in excess of 20 percent thereafter for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's neck disability, finding that it is etiologically related to his active duty service. The decision also remands the issue of a temporary 100% rating for cervical spinal surgery.