Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2022

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the onset and etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disability. The Veteran is asked to provide lay statements supporting her claims.

The Veteran's sleep apnea disorder was granted a 50% disability rating prior to October 1, 2020. A higher rating is denied since that date.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability was granted a 20% disability rating prior to May 7, 2018. A higher rating is denied since that date.,The Veteran's allergic rhinitis does not warrant an initial compensable disability rating.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety) was granted a 70% disability rating.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's cervical spine disability, finding that the evidence does not support an increase due to limited range of motion.

The Veteran's LUE cervical radiculopathy is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected condition.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis, as well as migraine headaches. The evidence is in equipoise regarding whether these conditions originated during active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to conflicting medical opinions and new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's neck condition is granted service connection, but his bilateral ankle and hip disabilities are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease (DDD) and cervical spine disability as secondary to his service-connected left shoulder acromioclavicular arthritis with impingement and thoracic outlet syndrome is remanded.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of neck disability and bilateral hearing loss. The claim for a rating increase for tension headaches was granted with a 30% disability rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for cervical spine disability, thoracic spine disability, lumbar low back disability, right hip disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to potential issues with service connection.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, is granted. The cervical spine disability claim is remanded for further examination and analysis.

The reduction of the disability ratings for cervical spondylosis with stenosis and degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine from their respective current levels to lower levels was improper. The original disability ratings were restored.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for the issues of hypertension, left leg/calf disability, left ear hearing loss, coronary artery disease (CAD), and a neck disability.,The Veteran's current left shoulder disability was not shown to be due to an in-service event, injury, or disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine disability, to include as secondary to his service-connected low back disability, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinion and consideration.

The Veteran withdrew all his appeals, including those related to PTSD, MDD, sleep apnea, left shoulder strain, recurrent headaches, hypertension, DDD of the lumbar spine, cervical DDD, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and a heart condition.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted service connection based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. Service connection for psoriasis, cervical spine disability, and peripheral neuropathies of the upper and lower extremities are also granted as secondary to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran has withdrawn all appeals, including those related to increased disability ratings and service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an examination.

The Board has denied service connection for a low back disability due to the lack of evidence showing a current disability and no causal relationship between an in-service injury or disease. The cervical spine, right foot, and left foot disabilities are all remanded as there is insufficient medical evidence regarding their onset during active duty.

The Veteran's neck disability appeal has been withdrawn and dismissed.,Claims for service connection for right eye glaucoma and left eye glaucoma have been reopened due to new evidence submitted since the September 2015 rating decision.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted based on in-service noise exposure.,The Veteran's sinusitis is rated at 10 percent prior to February 13, 2019 and greater than 30 percent thereafter. The claim for a higher rating remains pending.,The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 10 percent. A higher rating is not warranted based on the current evidence.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss claim requires additional medical examination to determine its relationship to service.,Service connection for PTSD is remanded due to inadequate VA examination in April 2019.,Service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy greater than 10 percent are both remanded.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left eye glaucoma secondary to service-connected disabilities must be remanded due to inadequate VA examination in November 2018.